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Effects of different concentrations of atmospheric CO2 on growth and yield components of wheat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

N. Sionit
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706, U.S.A.
B. R. Strain
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706, U.S.A.
H. Hellmers
Affiliation:
Botany Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27706, U.S.A.

Summary

Growth and yield components of a semi-dwarf spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. GWO 1809) were determined under three different atmospheric CO2a concentrations (350, 675 and 1000 μ1/1) in controlled environment chambers of the Duke University Phytotron. CO2 enrichment enhanced tiller and head emergence and increased the number of head-producing tillers and the total dry weight of the plants. Total leaf area, stem height and root/shoot ratio of the plants were greater at high CO2 concentrations than at low. Net assimilation rate (NAR) increased with increasing CO2 concentration and decreased with plant size. There was little effect of CO2 enrichment on leaf weight ratio (LWR) and leaf area ratio (LAR) and no significant effect on specific leaf area (SLA). The weight and number of seeds were significantly higher with increasing CO2 concentration. The results of this study provide evidence that important changes in plant growth and development may occur during the next century if global CO2 enrichment continues. Some of these changes would have important ecological impact in natural and managed ecosystems in the future.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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