Edukad projektid

eesti keeles / in English

3to4: Converting C3 to C4 photosynthesis for sustainable agriculture

acronym: 3TO4
start: 2012-01-01
end: 2016-12-31
 
programme: FP7 - Euroopa Liidu 7. raamprogramm
sub-programme: KBBE - Toit, põllumajandus ja biotehnoloogia
instrument: CP-TP - Koostööprojektid spetsiaalsetele gruppidele
call identifier: FP7-KBBE-2011-5
project number: 289582
duration in months: 60
partner count: 19
 
abstract: Most plants use the C3 pathway of photosynthesis that is compromised by gross inefficiencies in CO2 fixation. However, some plants use a super-charged photosynthetic mechanism called C4 photosynthesis. The C4 pathway is used by the most productive vegetation and crops on Earth. In addition to faster photosynthesis, C4 plants demand less water and less nitrogen. Overall, our aim is to introduce the characteristics of C4 into C3 crops. This would increase yield, reduce land area needed for cultivation, decrease irrigation, and limit fertiliser applications. If current C3 crops could be converted to use C4 photosynthesis, large economic and environmental benefits would ensue from both their increased productivity and the reduced inputs associated with the C4 pathway. It is important to note that the huge advances in agricultural production associated with the Green Revolution were not associated with increases in photosynthesis, and so its manipulation remains an unexplored target for crop improvement both for food and biomass. Even partial long-term success would have significant economic and environmental benefits. Efficient C4 photosynthesis would be achieved by alterations to leaf development, cell biology and biochemistry. Although initially we will be using model species such as rice and Arabidopsis we envisage rapid transfer of technological advances into mainstream EU crops, such as wheat and rape, that are used both for food and fuel. We will build capacity for C4 research in Europe in this area by the training of future generations of researchers. To achieve this aim we need to increase our understanding of the basic biology underlying the C4 pathway. Our specific objectives will therefore address fundamental aspects of C4 biology that are needed for a full understanding the pathway. Specifically we aim: 1. To understand the roles and development of the two cell types (mesophyll and bundle sheath) in C4 plants. 2. To identify mechanisms controlling the ex
partner no and role partner name country contact person web page
1 coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD UK Joanne Watson http://www.shef.ac.uk
2 partner HEINRICH-HEINE-UNIVERSITAET DUESSELDORF DE Peter Westhoff http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de
3 partner THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE UK Schaeffer Renata http://www.cam.ac.uk
4 partner GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER DE Christoph Peterhänsel http://www.uni-hannover.de
5 partner SHANGHAI INSTITUTES FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES CN Zhu Xinguang
6 partner Eesti Maaülikool EE ülo Niinemets http://www.emu.ee
7 partner CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE FR Béatrice Saint-Cricq http://www.cnrs.fr
8 partner MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V. DE Mark Stitt http://www.mpg.de
9 partner CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE IT Francesco Loreto http://www.cnr.it
10 partner INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE PH William Paul Quick http://www.irri.org
11 partner THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD UK Stephen Conway http://www.ox.ac.uk
12 partner INSTITUTO DE TECNOLOGIA QUIMICA E BIOLOGICA - UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA PT Manuela Chaves
13 partner INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA EXPERIMENTAL E TECNOLOGICA PT Elsa Vieira http://www.ibet.pt
14 partner KAHRAMANMARAS SUTCU IMAM UNIVERSITESI TR Ferit Kocacinar http://www.ksu.edu.tr
15 partner NEBION AG CH Stefan Bleuler http://www.nebion.com
17 partner ANDREW DAVIS - LIGHTHOUSE DESIGN & MARKETING UK Andrew Davis
18 partner STREAM PROJECTS LTD UK Peter Tysoe http://www.streamprojects.com
19 partner CHEMTEX ITALIA SPA IT Alessandra Frattini
20 partner BAYER CROPSCIENCE NV BE Jeroen Van Rie http://www.bayercropscience.com