Elevated CO2 Improves Growth and Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency in Cereal Species Under Sub-Optimal Phosphorus Supply

Abstract

Cultivars of Triticum aestivum, T. durum, and Secale cereale were grown at low (2 μM) and sufficient (500 μM) phosphorus (P) under ambient carbon dioxide (380 μmol mol−1; aCO2) and elevated CO2 (700 μmol mol−1, eCO2) to study responses of cereal species in terms of growth and P utilization efficiency (PUE) under P x CO2 interaction. Dry matter accumulation increased under eCO2 with sufficient P. Nevertheless, dry matter accumulated at eCO2 with low-P was similar to that obtained at aCO2 with sufficient P. Leaf area was 43% higher under eCO2 with sufficient P. Significant increase in lateral root density, length and surface area were noted at low-P under eCO2. Phosphorus use efficience (PUE) increased by 59% in response to eCO2­ in low-P plants. Thus, eCO2 can partly compensate effect of low-P supply because of improved utilization efficiency. Among cereals, durum wheat was more suitable in terms of PUE under high CO2 and limiting P supply.