Dear PhotosynQ User,
Welcome to the PhotosynQ community newsletter!
We have the Guardian Feature Article (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/01/heat-resistant-crops-hotter-night-temperatures-climate) as our featured news this month. This study explains the approaches of producing resilient crops to withstand night time heat. We hope you enjoy reading our selected news and please stay safe and healthy! Best, PhotosynQ Team
High night temperatures are detrimental for crop productions across the world. For example, a one degree Celsius rise of night time temperatures can have the effect of dropping wheat yields by 6% and rice yields by 10%
High heat at night also causes less palatable and low quality produce and can even alter nutrient content.
The scientists at WRCHR (Wheat and Rice Center for Heat Resilience) conducts greenhouse experiments to create and test high nighttime temperatures.
Many varieties of these crops are being tested at all life stages but especially at flowering stage, as this is most vulnerable stage to excessive night heat.
These teams employ MultispeQ to measure the changes of photosynthetic activity in response to nighttime heat.
With the data collected through MultispeQ in addition to genotyping analysis, scientists at WRCHR are planning to produce varieties resilient to high night time temperatures soon. This project highlights the value of MultispeQ as a tool for non-destructive measurement of photosynthesis in plant physiological assessments and breeding programs.
