Feedback of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on carbon, water and nitrogen metabolism is primarily determined by changes in rate of photosynthesis and stomatal behaviour in plants. As CO2 is a primary raw material in the process of photosynthesis, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels enhances crop growth. Previous studies indicate yield increase of about 30% for crops like soybean and wheat in Open Top Chambers, and 15% in free air CO2 enrichment experiments. However, the effects of elevated CO2 on crop water and nutrient use are not well known. Further, the extent to which CO2 fertilization benefits are sustained under water and nutrient stress in possible warming situations are not fully understood. These crucial research gaps have large socio-economic ramifications, due to the scarcity of water and depleting soil resources in agriculture.
The CO2 fertilization effect increases the rate of photosynthesis while limiting leaf transpiration in plants. Increased CO2 reduces plant water use, which should also show a positive effect on plant growth under higher nitrogen supply. The availability of plant nutrients, particularly soil nitrogen, also regulates the CO2 fertilization effect. Nitrogen metabolism in plants is likely to be affected under changing climate conditions. The interaction between CO2 levels, rising temperature and plant-available soil nitrogen may play a critical role in determining limitations to the CO2 fertilization effect. Reduced plant tissue nitrogen concentration under elevated CO2 has a strong indirect effect on fundamental processes such as residue decomposition, adversely affecting nutrient cycling in soil systems. The effect of CO2 elevation on uptake of plant nutrients, including soil micronutrients and the resultant effect on soil fertility is poorly studied. The efficiency of water and nutrient use in a warmer climate needs to be assessed further.
This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, controlled studies using chambers, and field studies using OTC or FACE in major crop plants including cereal crops (C3 crops) and legumes.
• Biophysical and physiological response of crop plants to elevated CO2 or combined effect of elevated CO2 and warming under water and nitrogen deficit stress;
• Effect of elevated CO2 on carbon and nutrient cycling in the soil system;
• Effect of elevated CO2 (alone or combined with warming) on water and nitrogen use efficiency in major crops;
• Nutritional attributes of grains and biochemical alterations due to CO2 elevation.
Feedback of increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on carbon, water and nitrogen metabolism is primarily determined by changes in rate of photosynthesis and stomatal behaviour in plants. As CO2 is a primary raw material in the process of photosynthesis, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels enhances crop growth. Previous studies indicate yield increase of about 30% for crops like soybean and wheat in Open Top Chambers, and 15% in free air CO2 enrichment experiments. However, the effects of elevated CO2 on crop water and nutrient use are not well known. Further, the extent to which CO2 fertilization benefits are sustained under water and nutrient stress in possible warming situations are not fully understood. These crucial research gaps have large socio-economic ramifications, due to the scarcity of water and depleting soil resources in agriculture.
The CO2 fertilization effect increases the rate of photosynthesis while limiting leaf transpiration in plants. Increased CO2 reduces plant water use, which should also show a positive effect on plant growth under higher nitrogen supply. The availability of plant nutrients, particularly soil nitrogen, also regulates the CO2 fertilization effect. Nitrogen metabolism in plants is likely to be affected under changing climate conditions. The interaction between CO2 levels, rising temperature and plant-available soil nitrogen may play a critical role in determining limitations to the CO2 fertilization effect. Reduced plant tissue nitrogen concentration under elevated CO2 has a strong indirect effect on fundamental processes such as residue decomposition, adversely affecting nutrient cycling in soil systems. The effect of CO2 elevation on uptake of plant nutrients, including soil micronutrients and the resultant effect on soil fertility is poorly studied. The efficiency of water and nutrient use in a warmer climate needs to be assessed further.
This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, controlled studies using chambers, and field studies using OTC or FACE in major crop plants including cereal crops (C3 crops) and legumes.
• Biophysical and physiological response of crop plants to elevated CO2 or combined effect of elevated CO2 and warming under water and nitrogen deficit stress;
• Effect of elevated CO2 on carbon and nutrient cycling in the soil system;
• Effect of elevated CO2 (alone or combined with warming) on water and nitrogen use efficiency in major crops;
• Nutritional attributes of grains and biochemical alterations due to CO2 elevation.
