To the unkeen eye, clear sunny days present calm, static conditions for plant photosynthesis. Yet, wind patterns, the Sun's position in the sky, and canopy structure cause light levels in plant canopies to fluctuate at speeds which outpace adjustments in photosynthesis. Plants' capacity to keep-up remains largely unexplored by researchers. By describing the properties of light fluctuations and examining how they dictate environmental conditions, drive regulation of plant morphology and physiology, we will provide tools to improve the photosynthetic efficiency of crops, giving us potential to improve yields and to aid variety selection. By combining information about light fluctuations, gathered from environmental and canopy characteristics, with experimentally tested plant responses, we can model photosynthesis under more realistic light conditions than currently possible, to obtain better estimates and improve forecasts of carbon gained by plant canopies under climate change.

2022

2025