Phenomics of Photosynthesis in Variegated Leaves of Croton

Abstract

newlinePlants depend on the environment where they grow. Sunlight is pivotal for the growth and development of green plants as they absorb atmospheric CO2, to reduce it to carbohydrates utilizing the reducing power of water. The whole process is driven by solar light energy and is called photosynthesis. Oxygenic photosynthesis utilizes water and atmospheric CO2 releasing oxygen by photolysis of water directly or indirectly, photosynthesis fills all of our food requirements and many of our needs for fiber and building materials. So the understanding of the photosynthetic process, can mitigate the need for food, fuel, energy, fiber and wood, for the human civilisation. The simplified overall reaction of photosynthesis is shown below: newline newline6CO2 + 12H2O + Light Energy C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O. newline newline newlineThe photosynthetic process in oxygenic green plants occurs in the tiny organelles, predominantly present in the mesophyll cells of leaves, known as chloroplasts. In this study the photosynthetic characteristics of Croton (Codiaeumvariegatum L.) plants and its adaptation of photoinhibitory light is elucidated. newline