Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 149-161 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 156 II, leading to improved maize yield-related traits (Zhou et al., 2023). Similarly, the NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex optimizes carbon flow and redox balance in BS cells, coordinating photosynthetic transcript abundance and protein content (Zhang et al., 2023). Furthermore, integrative analyses of transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome data indicate that brassinosteroid signaling upregulates photosynthesis-related genes and proteins, thereby promoting photosynthetic efficiency (Li et al., 2023b). 6.4 Lessons learned and implications for broader applications The findings from this case study provide valuable insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying photosynthetic efficiency in maize. Understanding these mechanisms can inform breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding and stress-tolerant maize varieties. For example, manipulating genes involved in CO2 signaling, such as ZmCA4, or optimizing the function of the NDH complex could enhance photosynthetic performance under varying environmental conditions (Zhang et al., 2023; Zhou et al., 2023). Additionally, sustainable agricultural practices like intercropping can be leveraged to improve resource utilization and crop productivity (Ma et al., 2023). These lessons underscore the potential for integrating molecular biology with agronomic practices to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture. 7 Applications of Molecular Insights into Photosynthetic Machinery 7.1 Improving crop yields through enhanced photosynthesis Molecular insights into the photosynthetic machinery of maize have shown significant potential in improving crop yields. For instance, the constitutive expression of maize GOLDEN2-LIKE (GLK) genes in rice has led to enhanced levels of chlorophylls and pigment-protein antenna complexes, resulting in improved light harvesting efficiency and increased carbohydrate levels. This has translated into a 30~40% increase in both vegetative biomass and grain yield (Li et al., 2020b). Similarly, the insertion of the cyanobacterial membrane protein ictB into maize has increased leaf starch and sucrose content, leading to an average grain yield improvement of 3.49% in field trials (Koester et al., 2021). These findings underscore the potential of genetic modifications to enhance photosynthetic efficiency and, consequently, crop yields. 7.2 Contributions to sustainable agriculture practices Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency not only boosts crop yields but also contributes to sustainable agriculture practices. For example, the development of climate-smart crops with enhanced photosynthesis can provide novel solutions to increase crop productivity while reducing atmospheric carbon and nitrogen emissions (Jansson et al., 2018). Additionally, the coupling of nitrogen fertilization with iron foliar application has been shown to improve photosynthetic characteristics and nitrogen use efficiency in maize, leading to better growth and higher yields under intercropping systems (Nasar et al., 2022). These practices promote sustainable agriculture by optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact. 7.3 Potential for climate resilience in maize cultivars Molecular insights into photosynthetic machinery also hold promise for developing climate-resilient maize cultivars. Efficient regulation of CO2 assimilation has been shown to enable greater resilience to high temperature and drought in maize. For instance, maize genotypes with contrasting levels of drought and heat tolerance have demonstrated different mechanisms for maintaining photosynthetic rates under stress conditions, such as increased stomatal conductance and limited transpiration (Correia et al., 2021). These traits can be exploited in breeding programs to develop maize cultivars that are better adapted to the challenges posed by climate change. 7.4 Commercial applications and agronomic benefits The commercial applications and agronomic benefits of enhanced photosynthetic machinery in maize are substantial. For instance, the use of nontoxic orange carbon dots (o-CDs) has been shown to increase photosynthetic parameters and pigment content in maize, leading to improved photosynthetic efficiency (Milenković et al., 2021). Additionally, the integration of molecular insights into breeding programs has resulted in high-yielding maize hybrids with longer photosynthetic duration and higher chlorophyll content (Yan et al., 2021). These advancements not only improve crop productivity but also offer significant commercial benefits by increasing the profitability and sustainability of maize cultivation.
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