"Variations in assimilation rate,
photoassimilate translocation,
and cellular fine structure
of potato cultivars
(Solanum Tuberosum L.)
exposed to elevated CO2."
Lahijani, M.J.A., Kafi, M.,
Nezami, A., Nabati, J.,
Mehrjerdi, M.Z.,
Shahkoomahally, S.
and Erwin, J.
2018
Plant Physiology
and Biochemistry
130: 303-313.
Positive effects have been observed
in thousands of experiments
from atmospheric CO2 enrichment
on the growth and biomass of plants.
But which plants will provide
the largest yield increases
per unit of CO2 rise in the
years and decades ahead?
CONCLUSION:
Elevated CO2 stimulated plant
photosynthesis and biomass
of potatoes.
Leaf, stem and tuber dry matter were,
respectively, 28.1%, 27.8% and
a whopping 165.6% higher in the
Agria cultivar at 800 ppm CO2
compared to ambient CO2 levels.
Similar findings were observed
for the Fontane cultivar, which
experienced CO2-induced leaf,
stem and tuber dry matter increases
of 31.1%, 56.8% and 95.0%,
respectively.
Which plant is the better one
to grow in the future?
Fontane has a slight edge
in tuber dry matter
(i.e., the edible portion of the plant),
it produced around
0.25 g more per plant
under elevated
CO2 conditions
than Agria,
although this difference
was not
statistically significant.
The future 95% and 165%
CO2-induced tuber dry matter
increases anticipated for Fontane
and Agria potato cultivars
will certainly help to improve
the food security of many nations
that heavily rely on such
below-ground crops
to feed their citizens.
DETAILS:
Focusing on two potato
(Solanum Tuberosum)
cultivars
(Agria and Fontane),
Lahijani et al. (2018)
conducted an analysis.
Their investigation included
growing virus-free plantlets
of both cultivars in controlled
environment chambers
under ambient (400 ppm)
or elevated (800 ppm)
CO2 conditions for
a period of 90 days.
All plants received
adequate water,
fertilization and light
during the study.