In a significant recognition, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) has recently identified the BBX11 gene responsible for the greening of crops. This discovery carries considerable implications for the realm of agriculture, particularly for tropical countries like India grappling with changing weather conditions.
Understanding the BBX11 Gene
Research conducted by IISER has led to the discovery of a mechanism where two proteins function in opposition to regulate the BBX11 gene to maintain optimum levels. The gene plays a critical role in controlling the quantity of protochlorophyllide produced by plants. Protochlorophyllide, an intermediate in chlorophyll synthesis, must be present in balanced amounts for plants to effectively green and harvest sunlight. If its quantity is less, plant greening is inefficient; if more, then photobleaching, or loss of color by a pigment, happens.
Therefore, it’s essential that the amount of protochlorophyllide synthesized aligns with the availability of enzymes needed to convert them into chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll Synthesis Explained
Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, is crucial as it absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to create carbohydrates from CO2 and water. This intricate process commences rapidly once a seedling surfaces from the soil to support growth. To hasten the synthesis, plants develop a chlorophyll precursor called ‘protochlorophyllide’, which glows red in blue light, in the dark. As the plant emerges into the light, light-dependent enzymes convert protochlorophyllide into chlorophyll.
Agricultural Implications of BBX11 Discovery
The identification of the BBX11 gene bears significant implications for agriculture, particularly in tropical nations like India, experiencing fluctuating weather conditions. Farmers, especially in Maharashtra, have suffered extensive crop losses due to rapidly changing weather, causing severe distress within the farming community. The primary causes of crop failure include severe drought, high temperature, and excessive light. Young seedlings emerging from the soil are especially sensitive to high light irradiance. This study on BBX11 can guide efforts to optimize plant growth under these stressful conditions.
About Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a vital process by which green plants and certain other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, green plants harness light energy to transform water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.
Factors Influencing Photosynthesis
The photosynthesis process is governed by several internal and external factors. Internal factors include the number, size, age, and orientation of leaves, mesophyll cells and chloroplasts, internal CO2 concentration, and chlorophyll amount. External factors encompass sunlight availability, temperature, CO2 concentration, and water. Notably, even under optimal light and CO2 conditions with a green leaf, a plant will not photosynthesize if the temperature is extremely low.
Significance of Photosynthesis
The importance of photosynthesis cannot be overstated for sustaining life on Earth. If photosynthesis were to cease, there would soon be a scarcity of food and other organic matter. Most organisms would vanish, significantly depleting Earth’s oxygen. Furthermore, photosynthesis carried out by plants millions of years ago produced fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, which power our industrial society today.
