Chinese scientists have made a breakthrough discovery that could significantly increase global crop production by solving the longstanding "midday nap" phenomenon in agricultural plants, according to research published in the scientific journal Cell.
The study was led by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in collaboration with multiple Chinese and international institutions.
The crop "midday nap" refers to a phenomenon occurring between around 12:00 and 14:00 when intense heat and strong sunlight suppress plant activity of photosynthesis.
Midday sunlight would seem to have abundant light that nourishes plants, but it actually triggers a "photosynthetic midday depression" that hinders plants from absorbing carbon dioxide, causing substantial yield losses.
According to estimates, this phenomenon causes approximately 30 percent yield loss in agricultural crops.
The study published in Cell identifies a protein, known as MBS1, as a key player in protecting plants from intense light. The protein acts like "sunscreen", enveloping the chloroplasts in plants to shield them from damage of intense sunlight and heat.
This mechanism enables precise, proactive and rapid photoprotection and safeguards photosynthesis before significant harm occurs.
Over four consecutive years, the research team conducted large-scale field trials in south China's Hainan Province, Beijing and northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. These locations are spread out across northern, middle and southern parts of China.
The results showed that the increase in the expression of the MBS1 protein significantly enhanced rice's ability to withstand strong light in the paddy. The improvement was achieved without affecting normal plant growth and development, realizing stable and increased crop yields.
"[This research], combined with molecular breeding and precise regulation of rice, has universal applicability. This principle can be applied to wheat and various other plants, so its agricultural applications are immeasurable and will have profound impacts. And at the same time, overcoming the plant 'midday nap' could greatly increase carbon dioxide fixation, which holds important significance for achieving China's dual carbon goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality," said Kuang Tingyun, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Chinese scientists solve crop 'midday nap' problem, boosting yield potential
