Acclimation mechanisms to elevated CO2 in plants

Abstract

The plant metabolism is altered with increasing of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Initially the photosynthetic rate increases by the greater CO2 available, after some time there is some adaptations in order to return to the initial equilibrium, characterizing acclimation. The objective of this review was to describe the acclimation mechanisms in plants to elevated CO2 concentration. In the short term, enzymes and other important substances for photosynthesis are scarce by accelerated metabolism. In addition, excess starch of high photosynthetic rate, accumulated within chloroplasts can impair photosynthesis. A longer period there is a decrease in productive advantage on high CO2 environment and biomass distribution that favors vegetative parts. Acclimation in the long term is related to the plant ability to increase its storage compartments.