In what could be a significant step forward in crop science, researchers across two Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers have discovered a gene that shows considerable promise in enhancing plant growth. Dubbed "Booster," the gene was identified within the genome of the black cottonwood tree and has been linked to a dramatic increase in photosynthetic efficiency and biomass. Scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) collaborated on this project, the details of which are documented in the journal Developmental Cell.
According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, incorporating Booster into poplar trees resulted in up to a 200% increase in height under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, when tested in a different species, thale cress, the gene boosted the biomass and seed production by a substantial margin. The discovery has broad implications for agricultural productivity, potentially allowing for increased crop yields without additional land, water, or fertilizer inputs.
Crucially, Booster is a chimeric gene with origins spanning multiple organisms: a bacteria associated with the tree’s roots, an ant that cultivates fungus affecting poplars, and the Rubisco protein, essential in capturing atmospheric CO2 during photosynthesis. Boosted photosynthesis in the genetically modified plants led to a 25% increase in net leaf CO2 uptake and a notable increase in Rubisco content and stem volume, making the trees one of the more robust candidates for biofuel and bioproduct feedstock.
With the urgency surrounding food scarcity and sustainable energy rising, applying the Booster gene to C3 category crops—which includes many staple food sources like soybeans and wheat—could offer a tangible solution to these global issues. Jerry Tuskan, CBI director and a Corporate Fellow at ORNL, highlighted the environmental and economic potential of such bioenergy crops, stating through ORNL, "Fast-growing, resilient feedstock plants can stimulate the bioeconomy, create rural jobs, and support forecasted demand for energy.”
The research taps into large genetic databases and employs high-throughput imaging and phenotyping to pinpoint genes that enhance photosynthesis. This approach revealed the unforeseen potential of previously underestimated chimeric genes. The findings from this collaboration have opened new avenues for further study of photosynthetic efficiency and plant adaptation, providing a hopeful outlook for addressing some of the pressing ecological and food security challenges of our time.
The researchers' work is a testament to the interdisciplinary cooperation necessary to tackle complex scientific questions. As part of the research process, extensive cross-referencing of genetic markers with physical plant characteristics was required to isolate Booster. The research reflects a convergence of molecular biology, high-performance computing, and plant physiology, paving the way for potential multilocation field trials to validate the findings across various growing conditions and agricultural applications.
