Improving crop yield potential: Underlying biological processes and future prospects

The growing world population and global increases in the standard of living both result in an increasing demand for food, feed and other plant-derived products. In the coming years, plant-based research will be among the major drivers ensuring food security and the expansion of the bio-based economy. Crop productivity is determined by several factors, including the available physical and agricultural resources, crop management, and the resource use efficiency, quality and intrinsic yield potential of the chosen crop. This review focuses on intrinsic yield potential, since understanding its determinants and their biological basis will allow to maximize the plant's potential in food and energy production. Yield potential is determined by a variety of complex traits that integrate strictly regulated processes and their underlying gene regulatory networks. Due to this inherent complexity, numerous potential targets have been identified that could be exploited to increase crop yield. These encompass diverse metabolic and physical processes at the cellular, organ and canopy level. We present an overview of some of the distinct biological processes considered to be crucial for yield determination that could further be exploited to improve future crop productivity.

Automated summary

The growing population and increased standard of living globally lead to a higher demand for plant-derived products. Plant-based research will play a crucial role in ensuring food security and expanding the bio-based economy. Crop productivity depends on various factors, including resources, management, and intrinsic yield potential. This review focuses on the determinants of intrinsic yield potential to maximize plant potential in food and energy production. Many complex traits and processes can be targeted to increase crop yield, at the cellular, organ, and canopy level.