Work

Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentration on Growth, Grain Yield and Grain Macronutrient Concentrations of Wheat Under Different K Supply

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Atmospheric carbon‐dioxide concentration ([CO2]) is increasing rapidly, but its interactions with potassium (K) fertiliser on wheat growth, grain yield and quality are not well understood. Aim We investigated the effects of ambient CO2 (aCO2, approx. 415 ppm) and elevated CO2 (eCO2, 760 ppm) on these growth parameters under optimum (2.01 mol m−3) and growth limiting (50 mmol m−3) K supply in controlled environment chambers. Results Potassium limitation decreased total biomass at anthesis and maturity by approx. 13% and grain yield by 7.4%. The decreased grain yield was linked to decreased grain number. Grain K, P and S concentrations decreased by 6.5%–20.6%, under K deficiency, whereas Ca concentration increased by 8.0% and N and Mg concentrations were unaffected. These changes were closely correlated with changes in total aboveground nutrient accumulation, which were interpreted as changes in nutrient uptake. However, nutrient harvest index (NuHI) changed little with K supply. Under e[CO2], plant dry weight at anthesis, root + straw dry weight at maturity and grain yield were respectively 33.1%, 23.9% and 9.7% greater than at a[CO2]. The increase in yield was linked to an increase in thousand grain weight. Grain macronutrient concentrations (except P) decreased by 6.38%–16.0% with e[CO2]. Total aboveground macronutrient accumulation and NuHIs were unaffected by CO2 supply, except for KHI, which decreased with increasing [CO2]. Conclusion It is concluded that uptake of nutrients and their translocation within the plant were not inhibited by eCO2, and decreased grain macronutrient concentrations were attributed to nutrient dilution due to increased C fixation relative to nutrient uptake.

Source: Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science

DOI: 10.1002/jpln.12002

Authors: Emmanuel Chakwizira, Mitchell Andrews, Edmar Teixeira, Derrick Moot

Institutions: Foundation for Arable Research, Lincoln University

Language: English

Topic: Plant responses to elevated CO2

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,030