Strengthening Fundamental Research on Photosynthesis to Support Crop Breeding for High Yield

doi:10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-0634

Abstract

Abstract:

Strengthening fundamental research on the biology of high photosynthetic efficiency in crops is a critical pathway to breaking the bottleneck of grain yield per unit area and advancing seed industry innovation and agricultural modernization. Significant progress has been made in areas such as the structural analysis of photosynthetic membrane proteins, the discovery of high-photosynthetic-efficiency genes, and the simulation of C₄ pathways. Technologies like gene editing and synthetic biology have preliminarily enhanced the solar energy utilization efficiency in crops such as soybeans and rice. However, challenges persist in China’s fundamental research on high photosynthetic efficiency, including insufficient systematicity in research, lagging phenotyping platforms, a shortage of interdisciplinary talent, and weak genetic evaluation systems. Moreover, amid intense global competition, China’s participation in major international collaborative projects remains limited. This review summarizes the progress and challenges in high-photosynthetic-efficiency crop research both domestically and internationally, highlighting breakthroughs in foundational studies, the potential of technological applications, and interdisciplinary trends. It systematically identifies the shortcomings in China’s high-photosynthetic-efficiency research and proposes targeted recommendations. Moving forward, it is recommended to strengthen top-level design and establish interdisciplinary research projects; develop multi-scale phenotyping platforms; accelerate the training of interdisciplinary professionals; advance innovations in gene editing and intelligent design technologies; and promote the creation of high-photosynthetic-efficiency germplasm and the translation of research outcomes into practice, thereby providing scientific and technological support for safeguarding food security.

Key words: high photosynthetic efficiency in crops, fundamental biological research, photosynthetic membrane protein structure, C₄ pathway, phenomics, gene editing, synthetic biology

SUN Jing, YANG Yun-long, LIU Rong-zhi, YU Hong, LU Tie-gang. Strengthening Fundamental Research on Photosynthesis to Support Crop Breeding for High Yield[J]. Biotechnology Bulletin, 2025, 41(10): 1-5.

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