By Abbas Nazil
Taiwanese researchers have developed genetically modified plants that absorb about 50 percent more carbon dioxide and yield more than twice as many seeds as their natural counterparts, a breakthrough that could help combat climate change and boost food production.
The project, led by Academia Sinica researcher Lu Kuan-jen and supported by president James Liao, introduced a synthetic biochemical system into thale cress to enhance photosynthesis efficiency.
According to Lu, the engineered plants, described as “magic plants,” grow faster, capture more carbon, and produce increased biomass, lipids, and seeds compared to unmodified plants.
Tests showed that the modified plants operate two carbon-fixation systems simultaneously, a world first that doubled or tripled biomass while improving seed and oil yields.
Liao said that as humans emit around 9.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually while nature absorbs about 220 billion tonnes through photosynthesis, enhancing this process is key to addressing global warming.
He explained that the innovation aims to improve photosynthetic carbon capture without additional equipment or labor, providing a sustainable way to mitigate emissions and support food security.
Lu said the technology could be applied to major crops such as rice, corn, and leafy vegetables, potentially increasing yields and producing bio-based materials for aviation fuel and other industries.
Even a 10 percent increase in carbon fixation across global crops could offset human-generated emissions, she noted.
Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center director Yeh Kuo-chen said a team has been assembled to test the system in major crops like rice and tomatoes as part of the next research phase.
Liao emphasized that while the discovery marks a major scientific milestone, commercial use remains years away, as stability and regulatory compliance must first be ensured.
He stated that large-scale deployment is not expected in the near term but could eventually transform agriculture and carbon management.
