Effects of elevated <scp>CO<sub>2</sub></scp> on grain yield and quality in five wheat cultivars
Xizi Wang, Xiangnan Li, Yuyue Zhong, Andreas Blennow, Kehao Liang, Fulai Liu
Abstract
Abstract Elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations ( e [CO 2 ]) have a significant impact on plant physiology, grain yield and quality and the specific response of plants to e [CO 2 ] is closely linked to cultivars. Here, five Chinese wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were grown under ambient CO 2 ( a [CO 2 ], 400 ppm) and e [CO 2 ] (800 ppm). CO 2 enrichment significantly increased net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency but depressed stomatal conductance. e [CO 2 ] increased the carbon (C) concentration but decreased the nitrogen (N) concentration in all five cultivars, whereas the effect of e [CO 2 ] on grain yield was highly dependent on cultivar. Moreover, e [CO 2 ] caused a significant reduction in grain minerals and protein, although the magnitude of reduction was different among these cultivars. The starch concentrations in the grains and flour viscosity were not significantly affected at e [CO 2 ]. These findings improve our understanding of the interactive effect of CO 2 conditions and cultivars on plant performances and provide a research basis to select suitable wheat cultivars to deal with food crisis in future climate.