Question

Which of the following plant-crop is the most efficient converter of solar energy?
1. Sugarcane
2. Wheat
3. Paddy
4. Millet
5. None of the above/More than one of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Sugarcane

The correct answer is Sugarcane.

• Sugarcane is an efficient converter of Solar Energy.
• Cane is a C₄ plant while others are C₃ plants.
• C₄ plants are more efficient because C₃ plants undergo photorespiration.

• C₄ plants:
  • C₄ plants are defined as the plants that use the C₄ pathway or Hatch-slack pathway during the dark reaction.
  • The leaves possess kranz anatomy, and the chloroplasts of these plants are dimorphic.
  • The C₄ pathway is used by only 5% of the vascular plants.
• C₃ plants:
  • C₃ plants are defined as the plants that exhibit the C₃ pathway.
  • These plants use the Calvin cycle in the dark reaction of photosynthesis.
  • Here the photosynthesis process takes place only when the stomata are open.
  • The C₃ cycle is often referred to as a light-independent reaction to the process of photosynthesis.