Development of a minimized model structure and a feedback control framework for regulating photosynthetic activities

In this work, the main activities of the plant photosynthesis process are discussed to yield a minimized mathematical model structure with photosystem II (PSII) chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) as a measurable output. After experimental validation of the model structure, we demonstrate that the states of the photosynthetic process may be observed by using this model and the extended Kalman filter method. We then show a feedback control framework that can be used to alter a given photosynthetic activity. The control framework is demonstrated with an example in which PSII ChlF is used as the feedback signal and light intensity is used as a controllable process input to regulate plastoquinone reduction. Although there are caveats, and further research is needed, the results lay the groundwork for further research on novel methods for optimization and regulation of photosynthetic activities, with a goal for sustainability.