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Engelhard Corporation of New Jersey, and the US Department of Agriculture (WO
98/38848) want to make photosynthesis more efficient, so that crops can produce
more carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water in poor light. A finely
powdered inert material, such as kaolin, quartz or chalk is mixed with a wetting
agent and water to form a slurry. This is then sprayed on the crop along with a
small amount of adhesive. The fine particles let some light through and bounce
the rest between the leaves, giving an increase in illumination. When the spray
was tested on apple trees, it gave more higher quality fruit.