ARS | Publication request: Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and crops

Submitted to: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Monograph
Publication Type: Monograph
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2007
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
Citation: Uprety, D.C., Reddy, V. 2008. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and crops. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Monograph. New Delhi, India:Indian Council of Agricultural Research. 89 p.

Technical Abstract: The increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the earth's atmosphere and its potential effect on atmospheric temperature is a major concern. Changes in global environment will have major effects for natural and agricultural ecosystems. Plants have been directly affected by rising atmospheric CO2 concentration because it is the first molecular link from atmosphere to biosphere. The effects of increases in carbon dioxide and associated increase in temperature on crop plants, crop/weed and crop/disease, insect pest interactions and importance of changes in crop pest interactions is evaluated. We also evaluated several approaches that have been developed for conducting long term experiments to investigate the impact of rising atmospheric CO2 on various crop plants. It is clear from these studies that the crop response to CO2 concentration is species dependent and the magnitude of the response various between the physiological processes. In general, increasing CO2 will enhance Photosynthesis and improve water use efficiency leading to increase in yield in most fruit, vegetable and cereal and legume crops. Overall, crops with a higher harvest index, high sink demand, indeterminate growth and longer season crops are considered most likely to respond positively to the increases in CO2 and temperature.