Toward the engineering of photosynthetic productivity

This article is a review of progress towards a general quantitative theory of photosynthetic productivity or autotrophy in plants. It is not intended to be an exhaustive review, but rather a perspective of the autotrophic puzzle and current approaches to its solution. The review describes attempts to quantitatively describe a generalized plant based on theoretical expressions for its component parts. Particular emphasis has been placed on the source-transport-sink continuum. This continuum can be broken into five subsections: 1. Stomal mechanics and physiology 2. Photosynthesis (within chlorophyllous cells) 3. Mass and energy exchange between the leaf and environment 4. Phloem translocation 5. Sink metabolism models Progress towards the development of physiologically based models in each of the above areas is assessed, relying heavily on the approach and findings of the authors and their colleagues. The problems and possibilities inherent in attempting to couple these components into a generic model of productivity are discussed. Finally, the potential benefits and hazards of genetic engineering of plants are discussed, and weaknesses in the current approach are highlighted.