Plant Physiology Preview
Published on January 11, 2006; 10.1104/pp.105.073957
OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE
Received November 8, 2005
Returned for revision December 14, 2005
Accepted December 21, 2005
Photosynthesis, productivity and yield of maize are not affected by open-air elevation of CO2 concentration in the absence of drought
Andrew D.B. Leakey *, Martin Uribelarrea , Elizabeth A. Ainsworth , Shawna L. Naidu , Alistair Rogers , Donald R. Ort , and Stephen P. Long
Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
Departments of Plant Biology and of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1201 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; Photosynthesis Research Unit, USDA/ARS, 1201 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; Departments of Plant Biology and of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1201 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
Departments of Plant Biology and of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1201 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; Environmental Sciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973
Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; Departments of Plant Biology and of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1201 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
* Corresponding author; email: leakey{at}life.uiuc.edu.
While increasing temperatures and altered soil moisture arising from climate change in the next 50 years are projected to decrease yield of food crops, elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) is predicted to enhance yield and offset these detrimental factors. However, C4 photosynthesis is usually saturated at current [CO2], and theoretically should not be stimulated under elevated [CO2]. Nevertheless, some controlled environment studies have reported direct stimulation of C4 photosynthesis and productivity, as well as physiological acclimation, under elevated [CO2]. To test if these effects occur in the open-air and within the cornbelt, Zea mays (maize) was grown in ambient [CO2] (376 µmol mol-1) and elevated [CO2] (550 µmol mol-1) using Free-Air Concentration Enrichment (FACE) technology. The 2004 season had ideal growing conditions in which the crop did not experience water stress. In the absence of water stress, growth at elevated [CO2] did not stimulate photosynthesis, biomass or yield. Nor was there any CO2 effect on the activity of key photosynthetic enzymes, or metabolic markers of carbon and nitrogen status. Stomatal conductance was lower (-34%) and soil moisture was higher (up to 31 %), consistent with reduced crop water use. The results provide unique field evidence that photosynthesis and production of maize may be unaffected by rising [CO2] in the absence of drought. This suggests that rising [CO2] may not provide the full dividend to North American maize production anticipated in projections of future global food supply.
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