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Atmospheric CO2 Enrichment Reduces Respiration in Wheat
Reference
Gifford, R.M.  1995.  Whole plant respiration and photosynthesis of wheat under increased CO2 concentration and temperature: long-term vs. short-term distinctions for modelling.  Global Change Biology 1: 385-396.

What was done
The authors grew wheat (Triticum aestivum) in controlled environments receiving atmospheric CO2 concentrations of 380 and 710 ppm to study the effects of elevated CO2 on respiration and growth in this important cereal crop.

What was learned
Elevated CO2 reduced rates of maintenance and dark respiration by 13 and 20%, respectively.  These phenomena contributed to a 25% CO2-induced increase in daily plant growth rate and, ultimately, a 25% increase in plant size.

What it means
As the air's CO2 content increases, wheat plants will likely display greater rates of photosynthesis and lower rates of respiration.  Thus, wheat will likely grow more efficiently and produce more biomass in the future.


Reviewed 17 July 2002