From sunlight to phytomass: on the potential efficiency of converting solar radiation to phyto-energy.
New Phytol
; 188(4): 939-59, 2010 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20977480
ABSTRACT
The relationship between solar radiation capture and potential plant growth is of theoretical and practical importance. The key processes constraining the transduction of solar radiation into phyto-energy (i.e. free energy in phytomass) were reviewed to estimate potential solar-energy-use efficiency. Specifically, the out-putinput stoichiometries of photosynthesis and photorespiration in C(3) and C(4) systems, mobilization and translocation of photosynthate, and biosynthesis of major plant biochemical constituents were evaluated. The maintenance requirement, an area of important uncertainty, was also considered. For a hypothetical C(3) grain crop with a full canopy at 30°C and 350 ppm atmospheric [CO(2) ], theoretically potential efficiencies (based on extant plant metabolic reactions and pathways) were estimated at c. 0.041 J J(-1) incident total solar radiation, and c. 0.092 J J(-1) absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). At 20°C, the calculated potential efficiencies increased to 0.053 and 0.118 J J(-1) (incident total radiation and absorbed PAR, respectively). Estimates for a hypothetical C(4) cereal were c. 0.051 and c. 0.114 J J(-1), respectively. These values, which cannot be considered as precise, are less than some previous estimates, and the reasons for the differences are considered. Field-based data indicate that exceptional crops may attain a significant fraction of potential efficiency.
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Plantas
/
Luz Solar
/
Biomasa
/
Metabolismo Energético
Idioma:
En
Revista:
New Phytol
Asunto de la revista:
BOTANICA
Año:
2010
Tipo del documento:
Article