Plant growth in response to CO² enrichment, at two levels of nitrogen and phosphorus supply. 1. Dry matter, leaf area and development.

Abstract

The effect on plant growth of doubling the normal aerial CO2 content was studied in lucerne, faba bean, perennial ryegrass, wheat, maize, poplar and potato. Because nutrients often limit growth, the effect of CO2 under N or P shortage was also studied. Doubling CO2 had the largest effect on DM yield with a good nutrient supply, but with N shortage part of the CO2 effect was retained even in non-leguminous spp. Except for faba bean, no CO2 effect existed with P shortage. Maize showed a small positive CO2 reaction under good nutrient supply but a negative one with nutrient shortage. Potato showed a small negative reaction to CO2 enrichment. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)