Increasing Leaf Vein Density via Mutagenesis in Rice Results in an Enhanced Rate of Photosynthesis, Smaller Cell Sizes and Can Reduce Interveinal Mesophyll Cell Number.

ABSTRACT: Improvements to leaf photosynthetic rates of crops can be achieved by targeted manipulation of individual component processes, such as the activity and properties of RuBisCO or photoprotection. This study shows that simple forward genetic screens of mutant populations can also be used to rapidly generate photosynthesis variants that are useful for breeding. Increasing leaf vein density (concentration of vascular tissue per unit leaf area) has important implications for plant hydraulic properties and assimilate transport. It was an important step to improving photosynthetic rates in the evolution of both C₃ and C₄ species and is a foundation or prerequisite trait for C₄ engineering in crops like rice (Oryza sativa). A previous high throughput screen i

SUBMITTER: Feldman AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5672787 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature