A multi-institutional team reports that it can increase sugarcane’s geographic range, boost its photosynthetic rate by 30% and turn it into an oil-producing crop for biodiesel production. These are only the first steps in a bigger initiative that will turn sugarcane and sorghum – two of the most productive crop plants known – into even more productive, oil-generating plants. The researchers reported their findings at the US Department of Energy’s ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, DC that took place in late February. The lead researcher Professor Stephen Long at the University of Illinois said “Sugarcane and sorghum are exceptionally… Login to continue

Login or sign up