Which crop is known as a "C3" plant?

Wheat is recognized as a "C3" plant due to its photosynthetic pathway, which is characterized by the initial fixation of carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound (3-phosphoglycerate). This process occurs during the Calvin cycle and is particularly adapted to cooler, moist environments.

C3 plants, such as wheat, utilize a more traditional mechanism for photosynthesis, thriving under conditions with moderate temperatures and sufficient water availability. This category includes crops that typically have a higher efficiency of photosynthesis during the daytime and exhibit a lower rate of photorespiration compared to C4 plants, especially when conditions are suboptimal.

C4 plants, like corn and sorghum, have a different photosynthetic pathway that helps them efficiently use water and thrive in hot, sunny conditions, which is why they are not classified as C3 plants. The differences in these pathways make C3 plants distinct in terms of their environmental adaptability and growth conditions.