Effects of nutrient supply (NPK) on spring wheat response to elevated atmosperic CO2

The effects of increased atmospheric CO₂ on crop growth and dry matter allocation may change if nutrient supply becomes insufficient for maximal growth. Increased atmospheric CO₂ may also cause changes in minimum nutrient concentration in plant tissue and hence in the nutrient use efficiency or yield-nutrient uptake ratios of crops. To study these effects for spring wheat, pot experiments have been carried out in two glass houses at ambient and doubled CO₂ concentration. Wheat plants were grown at different supplies of N, P or K. Doubling of ambient CO₂ resulted in a large increase in total biomass (+70%) and grain yield when the nutrient supply was optimum. With strong N and K limitation this CO₂ effect was about halved and with strong P limitation it became almost nil. Doubling of ambient CO₂ resulted in a 10% lower minimum N concentration in plant tissue and in no change in the minimum P concentration.