C4 photosynthesis represents a striking example of convergent evolution, where multiple plant lineages have independently modified an ancestral C3 pathway to enhance carbon fixation efficiency. This ...

Over billions of years, plants mastered the art of photosynthesis, but some took it a step further. While most crops like rice still rely on the older, less efficient C3 process, others like corn and ...

Salk researchers have discovered how some plant species evolved a more efficient photosynthesis approach; findings could help make staple crops including rice and wheat more resilient to climate ...

Cross sections of C3 rice (left) and C4 sorghum (right) shoots. Both grain crops evolved from a common ancestor, but sorghum evolved to photosynthesize more efficiently. LA JOLLA (November 20, ...

More than 3 billion years ago, on an Earth entirely covered with water, photosynthesis first evolved in ancient bacteria. In the following millions of years, those bacteria evolved into plants, ...