Tweaking how plants manage a crisis boosts photosynthesis

New way to help cope with scorching sunlight could lead to more bountiful crops

tobacco leaves

SUNSHINE OVERLOAD  Colors show where tobacco leaves are wasting energy (blue, purple) by partially shutting down in response to bright light, and where they are running closer to full capacity (red, yellow). Shortening such shutdowns might make plants more productive.

Lauriebeth Leonelli, Matthew Brooks/UC Berkeley

Enhancing just three genes helps plants harvest more light, raising new hopes for developing crops that can keep up with food demands from a crowded planet.