Natural variation in photosynthetic capacity, growth, and yield in 64 field-grown wheat genotypes.

ABSTRACT: Increasing photosynthesis in wheat has been identified as an approach to enhance crop yield, with manipulation of key genes involved in electron transport and the Calvin cycle as one avenue currently being explored. However, natural variation in photosynthetic capacity is a currently unexploited genetic resource for potential crop improvement. Using gas-exchange analysis and protein analysis, the existing natural variation in photosynthetic capacity in a diverse panel of 64 elite wheat cultivars grown in the field was examined relative to growth traits, including biomass and harvest index. Significant variations in photosynthetic capacity, biomass, and yield were observed, although no consistent correlation was found between photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf and grain yield when all

SUBMITTER: Driever SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4144772 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature