Journal
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
Volume 13, Issue 7, Pages 867-874Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12382
Keywords
reflectivity; albedo; water use efficiency; PAR; light use efficiency; transpiration
Funding
- ARPA-E Fellowship programme
- AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship
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Population growth and globally increasing standards of living have put a significant strain on the energy-food-water nexus. Limited water availability particularly affects agriculture, as it accounts for over 70% of global freshwater withdrawals (Aquastat). This study outlines the fundamental nature of plant water consumption and suggests a >50% reduction in renewable freshwater demand is possible by engineering more reflective crops. Furthermore, the decreased radiative forcing resulting from the greater reflectivity of crops would be equivalent to removing 10-50ppm CO2 from the atmosphere. Recent advances in engineering optical devices and a greater understanding of the mechanisms of biological reflectance suggest such a strategy may now be viable. Here we outline the challenges involved in such an effort and suggest three potential approaches that could enable its implementation. While the local benefits may be straightforward, determining the global externalities will require careful modelling efforts and gradually scaled field trials.
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