Researchers at Essex University have, in principle, devised a Genetic Modification (GM) technique that will enable food crops to increase their photosynthetic ability, whilst needing less water (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/10/gene-manipulation-using-algae-could-grow-more-crops-with-less-water). Tobacco plants (the lab rats of the Botanical world) had a booster for a naturally-occurring enzyme introduced, along with genes from a cyanobacterium and an alga. The genes respectively generated a novel enzyme and a new protein. Photosynthesis (the process of using
sunlight to make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water) of the GM Tobacco plants became much more efficient but they also needed less water. It is now hoped to perform the same GM manipulations on soy beans, cowpea and rice (as illustrated). Developing such crops could be of great importance in a world trying to feed its human populations whilst subjected to climate change.
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