Which crop utilizes solar energy most efficiently ?

Options

A. potato
B. sugarcane
C. wheat
D. rice

Answer

To determine which crop utilizes solar energy most efficiently among potato, sugarcane, wheat, and rice, we need to analyze their photosynthetic pathways and mechanisms.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Photosynthesis Types**:
- Photosynthesis occurs in two main types of plants: C3 and C4 plants. C3 plants (like wheat, rice, and potato) primarily use the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation, while C4 plants (like sugarcane) have a different mechanism that helps them minimize photorespiration.

2. **Role of RuBisCO**:
- The enzyme RuBisCO is crucial for the photosynthetic process as it catalyzes the first major step of carbon fixation. It can bind to both CO2 and O2, but its efficiency is affected by the concentration of these gases and environmental conditions such as temperature.

3. **Photorespiration in C3 Plants**:
- In C3 plants, when the concentration of CO2 is low or the temperature is high, RuBisCO may bind to O2 instead of CO2, leading to a process called photorespiration. This process reduces the overall efficiency of photosynthesis.

4. **C4 Plants and Their Adaptation**:
- C4 plants, like sugarcane, have evolved a mechanism to reduce photorespiration. They possess a specialized anatomy (Kranz anatomy) where mesophyll cells capture CO2 and deliver it to bundle sheath cells, where the Calvin cycle occurs. This adaptation allows them to utilize solar energy more efficiently.

5. **Comparing the Crops**:
- Among the given options:
- **Potato**: C3 plant
- **Sugarcane**: C4 plant
- **Wheat**: C3 plant
- **Rice**: C3 plant
- Since sugarcane is a C4 plant, it is better adapted to utilize solar energy efficiently compared to the C3 plants.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the crop that utilizes solar energy most efficiently is **sugarcane**.

### Final Answer:
**Sugarcane** is the crop that utilizes solar energy most efficiently.