Narrow Results

The delivery of improved rice varieties with C₄-like yield advantages will require a precise modeling of the genome. Interestingly, the novelty of C₄ photosynthesis appears to have evolved from a key reservoir of genes present also in C₃ plants through gene duplication and neofunctionalization. Both specific patterns of gene expression and kinetic properties of the enzymes together with anatomical changes are observed in C₄ plants. Improved photosynthesis in rice can probably be achieved by engineering alleles involved in biochemical pathways and plant development. Key limiting steps in C₃ photosynthesis have also been envisaged as a possible strategy to lead to yield increases. From these results, I believe that a dual approach based on directed evolution and allele engineering could boost the yield potential of rice. Here, we discuss briefly some possible options from allele engineering to phenotype.