Growth, grain yield and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in response to elevated CO2 and phosphorus nutrition

Abstract

The influence of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and phosphorus nutrition on growth, grain yield and quality of a early maturing rice cultivar (Oryza sativa L. cv. Jarrah) was investigated by growing plants in a range of phosphorus levels at either 350 or 700 µL CO2 L-1 in the growth chambers. Total above ground biomass and grain yield were greater at elevated CO2 concentrations and with increasing phosphorus supply. The CO2 response was evident at all but the lowest phosphorus treatments but its magnitude was greater at moderate phosphorus supplies. The increase in grain yield at high CO2 was due mainly to an enhancement of tiller number. The phosphorus concentration in the foliage was unaffected by CO2 enrichment and the critical concentration of 1.8 g kg-1 dwt was the same as reported for field-grown rice. The concentration of calcium in the foliage was increased by high CO2 and the nitrogen concentration was reduced. Chemical analysis (amylose and mineral concentration) indicated that cooked rice grain from high-CO2-grown plants would be firmer and that concentrations of Zn and Fe, which are important in the diet of humans, will be lower. These results indicate that there is a need to plan for the inevitable rise in global CO2 concentrations by selecting cultivars which will be more productive and yet maintain suitable quality characteristics under elevated CO2 levels.