Increasing Photosynthesis by Genetic Manipulation: Difficulties and Prospects

Photosynthesis by plants in terrestrial or aquatic environments is a source of biomass and a sink for CO2 emissions. The rate of photosynthesis is limited by intrinsic thermodynamic and biological constraints, and by environmental factors. Increased [CO2] in the atmosphere and changes in climate will affect plants via photosynthesis and other aspects of plant metabolism, probably widening the gap between potential and actual global photosynthesis. Although plant metabolism can be changed.. by genetic means like plant breeding and genetic engineering, relative ignorance in some areas of plant sciences is limiting the application of these potentially powerful resources.