A team of researchers has unveiled a blueprint for engineering more productive crops by hacking one of nature’s most inefficient biological processes: photorespiration. Published in Science Advances, the study offers fresh insights into how tweaking this energy-wasting pathway could dramatically boost crop yields—even under climate-stressed conditions.

The work, spearheaded by scientists from the University of Groningen and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf as part of the European GAIN4CROPS initiative, zeroes in on a key flaw in photosynthesis. At the heart of the issue lies the enzyme RuBisCO, which, despite being central to carbon fixation, has a frustrating tendency to react with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide. This detour leads to photorespiration—a costly process that can slash crop productivity by up to 36%.

“Our work shows that overcoming photorespiration through engineered pathways can provide a dual benefit: increasing carbon fixation while reducing energy losses,” said Prof. Heinemann from the University of Groningen. “This has significant implications for the development of crops that are not only more productive but also better adapted to the changing climate and growing global food demands.”

Twelve Alternatives, One Big Breakthrough

Using advanced computational modeling, the team analyzed a dozen alternative biochemical pathways that either bypass or optimize photorespiration. These were ranked by carbon-fixing efficiency, and the results were striking: several pathways significantly outperformed nature’s current workaround.

Among them, carbon-fixing alternatives led the pack—delivering up to 20% more carbon export than conventional photorespiration. One standout, the TaCo pathway, originally developed through the EU’s FutureAgriculture project and now used in GAIN4CROPS and CROP4CLIMA, showed particularly strong potential for real-world application.

Environmental conditions also played a major role. The study found that high light intensity and low CO2 availability—the very conditions that challenge modern agriculture—were where carbon-fixing pathways delivered peak performance.

“With the ability to more rationally engineer alternative photorespiratory pathways into suitable crops and identify their optimal growing conditions, our work will hopefully contribute to realizing the maximum impact of alternative photorespiratory pathways for improving crop yields,” said Prof. Weber, coordinator of GAIN4CROPS at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.

The Road Ahead: Smarter Crops for a Warmer Planet

This system-level study not only helps explain previous experimental results but also lays out a clear roadmap for future crop engineering. By optimizing photosynthetic efficiency and tailoring crops to specific growing conditions, researchers hope to build more resilient agricultural systems.

Next on the agenda: refining the most promising pathways and introducing them into crops with the highest potential for global yield improvement. If successful, these bioengineered crops could become frontline defenses in the battles against food insecurity and climate change.