They declared victory after producing a half-pound of Bio-PDO from one pound of glucose, a 500-fold gain in yield.

FORBES: Revving Up Nature's Engines

Smith believes it could rise in rice to yield 3.25%, also a potential 20% gain.

FORBES: The Bottom Line Is Bad And Getting Worse

Tests running at two big sawmills, in Europe and in America, suggest that the improvement in yield can run from 2% to 18% for different kinds of tree, with an average gain of 10% in the value of the timber produced from a log.

ECONOMIST: Chopping wood