Does the Response of Rubisco and Photosynthesis to Elevated [CO2] Change with Unfavourable Environmental Conditions?

Overview

Journal J Exp Bot

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Sep 12

PMID 39264212

Authors

Maria Ancin

Angie L Gamez

Ivan Jauregui

Jeroni Galmes

Robert E Sharwood

Gorka Erice

Elizabeth A Ainsworth

David T Tissue

Alvaro Sanz-Saez

Iker Aranjuelo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Climate change due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions affects plant performance globally. To improve crop resilience, we need to understand the effects of elevated CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) on CO2 assimilation and Rubisco biochemistry. However, the interactive effects of e[CO2] and abiotic stress are especially unclear. This study examined the CO2 effect on photosynthetic capacity under different water availability and temperature conditions in 42 different crop species, varying in functional group, photosynthetic pathway, and phenological stage. We analysed close to 3000 data points extracted from 120 published papers. For C3 species, e[CO2] increased net photosynthesis and intercellular [CO2], while reducing stomatal conductance and transpiration. Maximum carboxylation rate and Rubisco in vitro extractable maximal activity and content also decreased with e[CO2] in C3 species, while C4 crops are less responsive to e[CO2]. The interaction with drought and/or heat stress did not significantly alter these photosynthetic responses, indicating that the photosynthetic capacity of stressed plants responded to e[CO2]. Moreover, e[CO2] had a strong effect on the photosynthetic capacity of grasses mainly in the final stages of development. This study provides insight into the intricate interactions within the plant photosynthetic apparatus under the influence of climate change, enhancing the understanding of mechanisms governing plant responses to environmental parameters.

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