Photosynthesis: Photoreactions to Plant Productivity, 1993

All biomass is derived from photosynthesis. This provides us with food fuel, as well as fibre. This process involves conversion of solar energy, via photochemical reactions, into chemical energy. In plants and cyanobacteria, carbon dioxide and water are converted into carbohydrates and oxygen. It is the best studied research area of plant biology. We expect that this area will assume much greater importance in the future in view of the depleting resources ofthe Earth's fuel supply. Furthermore, we believe that the next large increase in plant productivity will come from applications of the newer findings about photosynthetic process, especially through manipulation by genetic engineering. The current book covers an integrated range of subjects within the general field of photosynthesis. It is authored by international scientists from several countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, UK and USA). It begins with a discussion of the genetic potential and the expression of the chloroplast genome that is responsible for several key proteins involved in the electron transport processes leading to O evolution, proton release and the production of 2 NADPH and A TP, needed for CO fixation. The section on photosystems discusses 2 how photosystem I functions to produce NADPH and how photosystem II oxidizes water and releases protons through an "oxygen clock" and how intermediates between the two photosystems are produced involving a "two electron gate".

Preface. Chloroplast Genome: 1. The Chloroplast Genome: Genetic Potential and its Expression; A.K. Tyagi, N. Kelkar, S. Kapoor, S.C. Maheshwari. Photosystems: 2. Photosystem I Reaction Centre in Oxygenic Photosynthetic Organisms: Current Views and the Future; S. Hoshina, S. Itoh. 3. Oxidation of Water to Molecular Oxygen; Govindjee, W.J. Coleman. 4. Stoichiometry of Proton Uptake by Thylakoids during Electron Transport in Chloroplasts; B.N. Ivanov. Coordination and Regulation: 5. Regulation of the 32 kD-D1 Photosystem II Reaction Center Protein; S.K. Sopory, M.L. Ghirardi, B.M. Greenberg, T. Elich, M. Edelman, A.K. Mattoo. 6. Regulation of Electron Transport at the Acceptor Side of Photosystem II by Herbicides, Bicarbonate and Formate; J.J.S. van Rensen. 7. Photosynthesis and Herbicides: Effects of Pyridazinones on Chloroplast Function and Biogenesis; N.V. Karapetyan. 8. Interactions between Electron Transport and Carbon Assimilation in Leaves: Coordination of Activities and Control; C.H. Foyer. 9. Leaf Senescence-Induced Alterations in Structure and Function of Higher Plant Chloroplasts; A. Grover, P. Mohanty. 10. Maximizing Light Interception: the Role of Chloroplast Disposition in Cells and Thylakoid Membrane Architecture; C. Critchley, A.W. Russell. Carbon Assimilation and Partitioning: 11. Structure, Function and Regulation of Ribulose 1, 5- Bisphosphate Carboxylase in Higher Plants; R.C. Sachar, D. Saluja, P. Murali. 12. C4 Photosynthesis and C3-C4 Intermediacy: Adaptive Strategies for Semiarid Tropics; A.S. Raghavendra, V.S.Rama Das. 13. Interaction between Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism; P.A. Kumar, R. Polisetty, Y.P. Abrol. 14. Assimilate Partitioning within Leaves of Small Grain Cereals; R.C. Sicher. 15. Source and Sink Relationship; S. Mitra, S.N. Bhardwaj, G.C. Srivastava. 16. Photosynthetic Characteristics of Fruiting Structures of Cultivated Crops; R. Singh. Stress: CO2 Enrichment: 17. Effects of Water Stress on Photosynthesis of Crops and the Biochemical Mechanism; D.W. Lawlor, D.C. Uprety. 18. Effect of Heavy Metals on Photosynthesis in Higher Plants; I.S. Sheoran, R. Singh. 19. The Role of Carotenoids in Protection against Photoinhibition; P.K. Sharma, D.O. Hall. 20. Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Effects on Photosynthesis and Plant Growth; U.K. Sengupta, A. Sharma. 21. The Influence of Atmospheric CO2 Enrichment on Allocation Patterns of Carbon and Nitrogen in Plants from Natural Vegetations; I. Stulen, J. den Hertog, C.M. Jansen. Genetic Variation: Productivity: 22. Genetic Variation in Photosynthetic Characteristics in Wheat: Causes and Consequences; K.C. Bansal, D.C. Uprety, Y.P. Abrol. 23. The Significance of Light--Limiting Photosynthesis to Crop Canopy Carbon Gain and Productivity - a Theoretical Analysis; S.P. Long. 24. Leaf Photosynthesis in Rice in relation to Grain Yield; R. Ishii. 25. Photosynthesis Improvement as a Way to Increase Crop Yield; H. Medrano, J. Vadell. Index.