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)