Husna, Amity University Kolkata
Ever wondered why the plants are green in colour and not black. This is due to the biosynthesis of a green pigment in the plant known as chlorophyll. The synthesis of chlorophyll is a lengthy and multi-step process.
As soon as a seedling emerges from under the soil it must quickly synthesise chlorophyll which can support the growth. To facilitate a quick synthesis of chlorophyll, plants make a precursor of chlorophyll in the dark called protochlorophyllide. When the plant emerges into the light from under the soil, light-dependent enzymes convert this protochlorophyllide to chlorophyll. But if there’s an excess of free protochlorophyllide, then exposure to the light converts it into molecules that cause photobleaching or whitening of plants. Thus, it’s very important to regulate the synthesis of protochlorophyllide in plants in a controlled manner.
Recently, the researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) have identified a gene ‘BBX11’using genetic, molecular, and biochemical techniques and the found two proteins oppositely regulate this gene maintain an optimum level. BBX11 is the gene that plays a crucial role in regulating the levels of protochlorophyllide and facilitating the greening of plants.
According to the researchers, this study will have a tremendous implication in the agriculture sector of especially the tropical countries like India where it can help to optimise the plant growth under stressful climatic conditions. Generally, farmers in India suffer from huge losses in crop yields due to the changing climatic conditions. Moreover, the young seedlings which emerge from the soil are extremely sensitive to high radiation and light. Hence, with the help of these findings, plant growth can be optimised under stressful conditions.
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