Photosynthesis as a Trait for Improving Yield Potential in Crops

Photosynthesis is one of the most significant physiological processes on earth for agricultural sustainability. In field crops the correlation among photosynthesis, biomass, and yield is very significant, and there are supporting evidences that improved yields can be obtained by increasing photosynthetic efficiency. However, new approaches and technology will be necessary to meet the set targets for feeding the world's rising population. For improving photosynthetic efficiency, manipulation can be done at biochemical, anatomical, and molecular levels. Currently, new technologies such as genome editing, synthetic biology, and system biology can open new avenues to hasten the research. This chapter highlights the current status of photosynthetic research and methodologies for improving the photosynthetic efficiency with multidisciplinary approaches.