Photosynthesis in Fluctuating Environments

Photosynthesis is inadequately understood within the context of fluctuating light environments, despite being the dominant environment in which phototrophic organisms grow. The research of the Photosynthesis in Fluctuating Environments subgroup (dr. Liana Acevedo-Siaca) focuses on understanding how photosynthesis in crop plants responds to changes in irradiance and the implications this may have to overall crop productivity, climate resilience, and yields.

This group focuses on the following objectives:

  1. Characterizing the limitations of photosynthesis under fluctuating environments and identifying their underlying physiological or genetic mechanisms.
  2. Integrating knowledge on photosynthesis in fluctuating light environments throughout the crop canopy.
  3. Examining the interaction between stress from fluctuating light conditions and other abiotic stresses, such as diurnal and nocturnal heat stress or elevated [CO2].

This group is also interested in working with diverse germplasm resources to understand pre-existing natural genetic variation for photosynthetic traits and their potential application in pre-breeding programs. We’re always happy to collaborate with breeders and others working in germplasm development.

Our top 4 publications

  1. Acevedo-Siaca, L.G., Coe, R., Wang, Y., Kromdijk, J., Quick, W.P., & Long, S.P. 2020. Variation in photosynthetic induction between rice accessions and its potential for improving productivity. New Phytologist 227 (4), 1097-1108
  2. Acevedo-Siaca, L.G., Coe, R., Quick, W.P., & Long, S.P. 2021. Variation between rice accessions in photosynthetic induction in flag leaves and underlying mechanisms. Journal of Experimental Botany 72 (4), 1282-1294
  3. McAusland, L.*, Acevedo-Siaca, L.G., Pinto, R.S., Pinto, F., Molero, G., Garatuza-Payan, J., Reynolds, M.P., Murchie, E.H., & Yepez, E.A. 2023. Night-time warming in the field reduces nocturnal stomatal conductance and grain yield but does not alter daytime physiological responses. New Phytologist 239 (5), 1622-1636.
  4. Acevedo-Siaca, L.G., Dionora, J., Laza, R., Quick, W.P., & Long, S.P. 2021. Dynamics of photosynthetic induction and relaxation within the canopy of rice and two wild relatives. Food and Energy Security 10 (3), e286

Full list of publications: Research@WUR and Google Scholar

    Our team