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Organelle-to-nucleus DNA transfer is an ongoing process playing an important role in the evolution of eukaryotic life. Here, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of non-photochemical quenching parameters in 743 Populus trichocarpa accessions identified a nuclear-encoded genomic region associated with variation in photosynthesis under fluctuating light. The identified gene, BOOSTER (BSTR), comprises three exons, two with apparent endophytic origin and the third containing a large fragment of plastid-encoded Rubisco large subunit. Higher expression of BSTR facilitated anterograde signaling between nucleus and plastid, which corresponded to enhanced expression of Rubisco, increased photosynthesis, and up to 35% greater plant height and 88% biomass in poplar accessions under field conditions. Overexpression of BSTR in Populus tremula × P. alba achieved up to a 200% in plant height. Similarly, Arabidopsis plants heterologously expressing BSTR gained up to 200% in biomass and up to 50% increase in seed., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests US Department of Energy, UT-Battelle LLC has submitted a provisional patent on behalf of B.A.F., E.M.d.B., G.A.T., J.-G.C., S.P.L., S.J.B., T.B.Y., and W.M. on the aspects of the current research findings (US Patent Application No. 18/477,640, PCT/US2023/075482)., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Global yield gaps can be reduced through breeding and improved agronomy. However, signs of yield plateaus from wheat and rice grown in intensively farmed systems indicate a need for new strategies if output is to continue to increase. Approaches to improve photosynthesis are suggested as a solution. Empirical evidence supporting this approach comes from small-scale free-CO 2 air enrichment and transgenic studies. However, the likely achievable gains from improving photosynthesis are less understood. Models predict maximum increases in yield of 5.3-19.1% from genetic manipulation depending on crop, environment, and approach, but uncertainty remains in the presence of stress. This review seeks to provide context to the rationale for improving photosynthesis, highlight areas of uncertainty, and identify the steps required to create more accurate projections., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The Clark-type electrode can be used to assess the rates of photosynthesis by detecting changes in O 2 concentration in a culture. This chapter describes a method for a liquid phase measurement of light and dissolved inorganic carbon-dependent photosynthesis using the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The technique can be used to evaluate the presence or efficiency of carbon-concentrating mechanisms., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)