More productive future-proofed crops via manipulation of photosynthesis to address global food security in 2050
In 2021, one in ten of the global population suffered starvation for a substantial portion of the year; a number that has been rising steadily since 2014.
Many of those afflicted are small-holder farmers and their families in the Global South. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO) project a worsening situation with global demand for our major crops rising 60% by 2050.
In this talk Dr Steve Long, Ikenberry University Chair of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, will suggest that improvement of photosynthetic efficiency is the largest remaining opportunity to increase genetic crop yield potential. Photosynthetic efficiency in crops falls well below the theoretical maximum, suggesting considerable head-room for improvement, yet has been improved little by centuries of selection and breeding; the reasons for which will be explained.
REGISTRATION
This talk will be live in-person and online