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Abstract
Photosynthesis is the source of our food and fiber. Increasing world population, economic
development, and diminishing land resources forecast that a doubling of productivity
is critical in meeting agricultural demand before the end of this century. A starting
point for evaluating the global potential to meet this goal is establishing the maximum
efficiency of photosynthetic solar energy conversion. The potential efficiency of
each step of the photosynthetic process from light capture to carbohydrate synthesis
is examined. This reveals the maximum conversion efficiency of solar energy to biomass
is 4.6% for C3 photosynthesis at 30 degrees C and today's 380 ppm atmospheric [CO2],
but 6% for C4 photosynthesis. This advantage over C3 will disappear as atmospheric
[CO2] nears 700 ppm.