ASSESSMENT OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AMONG WHEAT AND ASSOCIATEDWEEDS UNDER HIGH CARBON DI-OXIDE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Climate change and rising CO2 levels as well as weed control is disrupted in both natural and traditional biological ways. The effectiveness of bio-control agents will be compromised as a result of this CO2 -induced morphological, phenological, and physiological alterations. The present study was conducted for the assessment of the effects of elevated CO2 on morphology of wheat crop as well as two commonly associated weeds Phalaris minor and Avena ludoviciana. The plant height of wheat was found to be increased in wheat under elevated CO2 conditions in comparison to ambient environment at 30 DAS and 60 DAS. However, both of the weed species had opposite effect of elevated environment in terms of plant height trait. While taking observation on mean numbers of tillers in wheat crop, it was found to be reduced under elevated environment in comparison to ambient environment. However, both weeds had increment in mean numbers of tillers under elevated CO2 conditions at both 30 DAS and 60 DAS. Results of the present study confirm the effects of elevated CO2 on morphology of crop as well as weed species and indicate the need of research in this field because of alarming situations in the future due to expected increase in CO2 level in the environment.