Will elevated CO₂ concentrations protect the yield of wheat from O₃ damage?

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigated the interacting effects of carbon dioxide and ozone concentrations on the growth and yield of spring whet ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Wembley). Plants were exposed from time of sowing to harvest to reciprocal combinations of two carbon dioxide and two ozone treatments: [CO 2 ] at 350 or 700 μmol mol −1 , and [O 3 ] at < 5 or 60 nmol mol −1 . Records of leaf emergence, leaf duration and tillering were taken throughout leaf development. At harvest, biomass, yield and partitioning were analysed. Our data showed that elevated [CO 2 ] fully protected against the detrimental effect of elevated [O 3 ] on biomass, but not yield.