Cited by 1,145Photosynthetic Processes and MechanismsPlant Water Relations and Carbon DynamicsGreenhouse Technology and Climate Control

What is the maximum efficiency with which photosynthesis can convert solar energy into biomass?

Zhu, Xin-Guang, Long, Stephen P, Ort, Donald R·2008·Current Opinion in Biotechnology

Abstract

Photosynthesis is the source of our food and fiber. Increasing world population, economic development, and diminishing land resources forecast that a doubling of productivity is critical in meeting agricultural demand before the end of this century. A starting point for evaluating the global potential to meet this goal is establishing the maximum efficiency of photosynthetic solar energy conversion. The potential efficiency of each step of the photosynthetic process from light capture to carbohydrate synthesis is examined. This reveals the maximum conversion efficiency of solar energy to biomass is 4.6% for C3 photosynthesis at 30 degrees C and today's 380 ppm atmospheric [CO2], but 6% for C4 photosynthesis. This advantage over C3 will disappear as atmospheric [CO2] nears 700 ppm.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.copbio.2008.02.004

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  • εc operates substantially below the theoretical maxima for C3 (0.094) and C4 (0.123) crop canopies and therefore limits yield potential.

    “However, 𝜀c operates substantially below the theoretical maxima for C3 (0.094) and C4 (0.123; Zhu et al., 2010) crop canopies and therefore limits yield potential (Zhu et al., 2008, 2010)”

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Authors
Zhu, X.-G., Long, S. P., & Ort, D. R.
Affiliations
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
  • Agricultural Research Service (US)
Corresponding author
Ort, Donald R
Venue
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-04
Volume
19
Issue
2
Pages
153-159
ISSN
0958-1669 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2094399323
Cited by
1,145
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 56 · 2025: 74 · 2024: 64 · 2023: 84 · 2022: 87 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 89 · 2019: 71 · 2018: 67 · 2017: 64 · 2016: 62 · 2015: 67 · 2014: 70 · 2013: 56 · 2012: 51
FWCI
2.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Biotechnology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Greenhouse Technology and Climate Control
Keywords
photosynthetic efficiency, solar energy conversion, biomass production, C3 photosynthesis, C4 photosynthesis, light capture, carbohydrate synthesis, atmospheric CO2 concentration, agricultural productivity, global food demand
MeSH terms
Models, Biological, Photosynthesis, Plants, Solar Energy, Plant Physiological Phenomena, Biomass, Plant Development

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