不同O2和CO2浓度梯度对酥梨采后生理及果实褐变的影响

以酥梨为试材,研究了(0±0.5)℃条件下不同O₂浓度梯度和CO₂浓度梯度的气调贮藏对酥梨采后生理及果实褐变的影响。结果表明:在贮藏期内,当CO₂浓度为0%时,随着O₂浓度的降低,在一定程度上可以延缓酥梨果肉组织相对电导率的升高、酚类物质的下降、多酚氧化酶活性的上升及色泽的转黄;但当O₂浓度为1.5%时,会对酥梨果实造成伤害,引起多酚氧化酶活性上升,果心褐变指数升高;当O₂浓度为5%时,CO₂浓度的升高有效保持了果实的硬度、色泽;但当CO₂浓度为8%时,会导致酥梨果实相对电导率增幅加大,果心、果肉酚类物质氧化加剧,果心褐变指数升高。综上所述,酥梨适宜的气调指标阈值为CO₂<2%,O₂为3%~5%。     

UV-B辐射增强对陆地生态系统温室气体排放影响的研究进展

地表太阳紫外线-B（UV-B，波长：280~320 nm）辐射增强和气候变化均是当今重要的全球性环境问题。平流层臭氧层损耗以及大气CO₂、CH₄和N₂O等温室气体排放的增加，是驱动这两大全球性问题的主要因素。UV-B辐射增强会通过一系列的生物地球化学进程影响陆地生态系统碳氮平衡，改变CO₂、CH₄、N₂O等温室气体的排放，进一步对气候变化产生作用。笔者对UV-B辐射增强对陆地生态系统CO₂排放的影响途径（凋落物和土壤）和影响机制（有机物中难降解分子转化为可溶性有机碳、有机物非生物光化学降解以及光引发产生的微生物降解）进行了总结，阐述了UV-B辐射增强对CH₄和N₂O排放的影响途径（植株组织化学结构变化和根系分泌物组分变化），及其在不同生态系统中与环境要素相互作用下的排放规律。此外，气候变化背景下，一定范围内的温度升高和降水量减少可促进UV-B辐射增强产生的有机物光降解作用，进而促进温室气体的排放。目前，UV-B辐射增强对陆地生态系统的影响研究相对较缺乏，大都集中在干旱生态系统，且定量研究较少。今后需更多长期、大规模的野外实地研究，并结合模型来准确估计UV-B辐射增强对陆地生态系统温室气体排放的贡献。本论文可为全球变化背景下精准预测温室气体排放提供参考。     

UV-B辐射增强及CO_2浓度升高对水稻产量及品质的影响

于2008年以日本粳稻品种Sasanishiki为研究材料,利用开放式气候室,以正常CO2浓度350±50mg/L和自然光照处理为对照,设置UV-B 14.7k J/(m2·d)、CO2700±50mg/L及CO2+UV-B复合3个处理,研究了CO2浓度升高及UV-B辐射增强对该品种水稻糙米产量及品质的影响。结果表明:(1)水稻单株产量CO2浓度升高处理增加21.78%,而千粒重、单株穗数、穗粒数及结实率无显著变化。结实率与单株产量UV-B辐射增强及复合处理分别降低6.44%、6.13%、14.89%、14.79%。千粒重复合处理降低5.28%。(2)CO2浓度升高及复合处理导致糙米的完整粒比率下降(29.54%~42.18%),断裂粒(29.73%~103.25%)和未成熟粒(30.71%~176.36%)的比率增加。UV-B胁迫下,未成熟粒比率增加幅度均小于CO2单独处理及复合处理。(3)UV-B辐射增强、CO2浓度升高及复合处理均显著增加脂肪酸含量(32.6%~76.29%)和蛋白质含量(5.3%~28.0%),而对水分和支链淀粉含量没有影响。综上所述,UV-B辐射增强显著抑制了水稻产量;CO2浓度升高显著增加水稻产量,但在本试验设计范围内,CO2浓度升高并未缓解UV-B辐射增强的抑制效应;UV-B辐射增强、CO2浓度升高及二者复合处理均显著改变了该品种稻米的营养品质。     

增施CO2对马铃薯植株光合特性及产量的影响

为检验增施CO₂对马铃薯组培苗植株光合特性及微型薯产量的影响,选用马铃薯品种夏坡蒂组培苗为试验材料,于2015年在温室条件下进行了两批次试验。结果表明,增加CO₂浓度可显著增加植株的叶面积、叶片净光合速率和胞间CO₂浓度,且CO₂ 750μmol/mol处理>550μmol/mol处理>CK（空气）,但增加CO₂浓度降低了马铃薯植株叶片气孔导度和蒸腾速率。结果还表明,增施CO₂增加了马铃薯单株结薯数、单个薯重和单株产量,其增幅随CO₂量的增加而增加。上述结果充分证明在温室条件下增施CO₂对加速马铃薯微型薯的繁育有积极作用。     

UV-B辐射增强对甘薯光合特性和紫外吸收物质的影响

为探索UV-B辐射增强对甘薯光合特性和紫外吸收物质含量的影响,以徽薯为试验材料,以自然光为对照,设2个UV-B辐射增强处理[在自然光基础上增加UV-B辐射3.6和7.2kJ/(m ²·d)分别编号为T1、T2处理],测定不同辐射强度下光合色素含量、光合作用参数和紫外吸收物质含量。结果表明：叶绿素a（Chla）、叶绿素b（Chlb）、类胡萝卜素（Car）和叶绿素a/b的值均随UV-B辐射强度的增加而降低,且Chla、Chlb和Car分别在处理第100、80和40天时对辐射变化最敏感;净光合速率（P_n）显著下降,气孔导度（G_s）降低,胞间CO₂浓度（C_i）和蒸腾速率（T_r）无明显变化规律,气孔限制值（L_s）的变化趋势与C_i相反;紫外吸收物质显著升高,呈CK相似文献   

不同厚度聚乙烯薄膜对韭薹低温贮藏品质的影响

为建立冷藏条件下韭薹自发气调包装(MAP)保鲜方法,将新鲜预冷的韭薹(200±0.5)g密封包装于25 cm×60 cm的聚乙烯(Polyethylene,PE)薄膜包装袋内,薄膜厚度分别为10、20、25、30、45μm,于(0±0.5)℃下贮藏105 d,研究不同O₂和CO₂透过率的薄膜对韭薹贮藏过程中包装袋内O₂和CO₂体积分数及产品品质的影响。结果表明,不同O₂和CO₂透过率的聚乙烯薄膜包装处理都可以很好地抑制韭薹品质劣变;不同处理组之间袋内O₂和CO₂的体积分数均存在显著差异(P<0.05);45μm PE袋(O₂透过率(4 080±352)cm³·m^-2·d^-1·0.1 MPa^-1、CO₂透过率(16 566±1 415)cm³·m^-...     

氮素对高大气CO2浓度下小麦叶片光合功能的影响

为探讨高大气CO₂浓度下植物光合作用适应现象的光合能量转化和分配的氮素响应及其对C₃植物光合功能的影响,本试验对盆栽小麦进行2个大气CO₂浓度和2个氮水平的组合处理,通过测定小麦光合气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数和叶绿素含量等指标,研究施氮对高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片光合功能的影响。结果表明,大气CO₂浓度升高后,低氮处理小麦叶片光合速率发生明显的适应性下调,光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)下降;但高氮叶片则无明显的光合作用适应现象发生。高大气CO₂浓度下低氮叶片光化学速率、PSII线性电子传递速率(J_F)、光合电子流的光化学传递速率(J_C)、Rubisco羧化速率(V_C)和TPU下降,并随生育时期推进其下降趋势更为明显,但高氮叶片的上述参数无显著变化;小麦叶片J_C/J_F、V_C/J_C和V₀ /V_C随氮素水平和大气CO₂浓度的变化无显著变化,表明施氮能提高光合机构对光合能量的传递速率,但对光合能量的分配方向无明显影响。施氮提高小麦叶片氮素和叶绿素含量,并且使高大气CO₂浓度下光合氮素利用效率(NUE)明显增加。大气CO₂浓度升高后,施氮增强光合机构的光合能量运转速率,同化力提高,无明显的光合作用适应现象;由于氮素水平与大气CO₂浓度对小麦叶片的光合能量利用存在明显的交互作用,而且高大气CO₂浓度下施氮使得小麦叶片NUE增加、正常大气CO₂浓度下降低,证明高大气CO₂浓度下施氮对光合作用具有直接的影响。     

CO2浓度升高条件下不同氮素水平对小叶章光合特性和生长的影响

为阐明大气CO₂浓度升高和不同氮素水平对湿地植物光合生理特性和生长的影响,本研究以三江平原湿地优势植物小叶章(Calamagrostis angustifolia)为研究对象,通过野外原位控制试验,利用开顶式气室(OTC)模拟环境大气CO₂浓度变化,设置E₀(380 ±20 µmol/mol)、E₁(550 ±20 μmol/mol)和E₂(700 ± 20 μmol/mol)3个CO₂浓度;在每个OTC内设置 N₀(0 g N/m²)、N₁(4 g N/m²)和N₂(8 g N/m²)3个氮素水平。结果表明,N₀条件下,与E₀处理相比,E₁和E₂处理（72 天）后小叶章叶片净光合速率分别降低11%和12%(P<0.05),其叶片可溶性蛋白含量、氮素含量（CO₂熏蒸72 天）、小叶章株高（CO₂熏蒸86 天）均显著低于E₀处理(P<0.05);N₁条件下,与E₀处理相比,E₁和E₂处理（72 天）后小叶章叶片净光合速率降低5%(P>0.05)和10%(P<0.05),其叶片氮素含量(P<0.05)、小叶章株高均低于E₀处理;N₂条件下,E₁和E₂处理（72 天）小叶章净光合速率均呈稍增加的趋势(P>0.05),其叶片可溶性蛋白含量显著增加(P<0.05),氮素含量和小叶章株高无显著变化(P>0.05)。N₀、N₁和N₂条件下,CO₂浓度升高均显著增加了小叶章叶片可溶性糖含量。本研究表明长期CO₂浓度升高可能通过降低小叶章叶片光合酶活性,进而降低了其净光合速率,而施加高浓度的氮肥可以缓解长期高CO₂浓度对湿地植物光合及生长的负面影响。     

遵义臭氧时空变化特征及与气象条件的关系

为了研究云贵高原城市遵义O₃分布特征及与气象条件的关系,通过对遵义市城区2014—2017年连续4年环境监测站和气象站观测数据的分析。结果表明：（1）遵义市O₃浓度超标率较之前增长较快;（2）遵义市O₃浓度基本呈现夏、秋季高,春、冬季低的季节特征,O_3-8h浓度最高月份一般出现在5月,峰值为52.71 μg/m ³,谷值出现在11月为26.18 μg/m ³。这与夏、秋季平均日照时间长、平均气温高有很大的关系;（3）遵义市O₃浓度日变化曲线呈单峰型分布,白天浓度明显高于夜间,峰值一般出现在16:00左右;（4）城市大气污染主要源自局地排放和化学转化,太阳辐射、气温、风速、日照和相对湿度是影响城区O₃浓度的主要气象因素,复杂地形下降水量和气压对O₃浓度传输能力影响相对较弱。     

外源NO对UV-B胁迫下小麦幼苗生长、活性氧组分和光合特性的影响

为了研究外源NO对UV-B胁迫下小麦幼苗生长、活性氧组分以及光合特性的影响,以ML7113小麦为受试材料,以硝普钠(Sodium nitroprusside,SNP)作为外源NO的供体,预先用0.1 mmol/L的SNP浸种24 h,设置4个处理组：对照组(CK)、紫外线UV-B胁迫处理组(B)、UV-B胁迫和SNP复合处理组(B+SNP)、SNP单独处理组。待幼苗生长7天后取其叶片进行可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸(Pro)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧阴离子(O₂^-)、过氧化氢(H₂O₂)、气孔密度、光合色素及叶绿素荧光参数等指标的测定。结果表明,NO供体SNP能显著增加经UV-B胁迫后小麦幼苗的株高,并使其小麦幼苗可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、脯氨酸含量分别提高19.69%、15.25%、41.36%,同时使其小麦叶正面气孔密度增大10.34%。SNP单独处理使得光合色素（叶绿素和类胡萝卜素）的含量较CK分别提高12.43%和5.99%,叶绿素荧光参数Fv/Fm和Fv/F0较CK显著提高0.5%和5.16%。此外,SNP能使小麦幼苗丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H₂O₂)的含量较CK显著降低27.30%和74.92%,超氧阴离子(O₂^-)的产生速率较CK显著降低24.47%。通过体内相关生理指标物质含量的变化来响应UV-B胁迫对小麦幼苗造成的伤害,而适宜浓度的外源NO(0.1 mmol/L)可以缓解UV-B胁迫下对小麦幼苗的伤害作用,从而增强小麦幼苗对UV-B胁迫的适应能力。     

Growth and marketable-yield responses of potato to increased CO2 and ozone

Central to the CHanging climate and potential Impacts on Potato yield and quality project (CHIP) was the consideration of the potential impacts of ozone and CO₂ on growth and yield of future European Potato crops. Potato crops, cv. Bintje, were exposed to ambient or elevated ozone; targeted daily average, 60 nl l⁻¹ for 8 h, and ambient or elevated CO_2; targeted 680 μl l⁻¹ averaged over the full growing season, in open top chambers (OTCs) at six European sites in 1998 and 1999, or to elevated CO₂ (550 μl l⁻¹) in Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment facilities (FACE) at two sites in both years. Some OTC experiments included 550 μl l⁻¹. Above and below ground biomass were measured at two destructive harvests; at maximum leaf area (MLA) and at final-harvest. Final-harvest fresh weight yields of marketable-size tubers, >35 mm diameter, from ambient conditions ranged from 1 to 12 kg m⁻². There was no consistent (P>0.1) CO₂×O₃ interaction for growth or yield variables at either harvest. No consistent effects of ozone were detected at the maximum-leaf-area harvest. However, at final harvest, ozone had reduced both above-ground biomass and tuber dry weight (P<0.05), particularly of the largest (>50 mm) size class. These yield losses showed linear relationships both with accumulated ozone exposure; AOT40 expressed as nl l⁻¹ h over 40 nl l⁻¹, and with yields from chambered ambient-ozone treatments (P<0.05) but, because of partial confounding between the treatment AOT40s and the ambient-ozone yields in the data, the two relationships were not completely independent. Yields from ambient-ozone treatments, however, explained a significant (P<0.01) amount of the residual variation in ozone effects unexplained by AOT40. When averaged over all experiments, mean dry weights and tuber numbers from both harvests were increased by elevated CO₂. Only green leaf number at the MLA harvest was reduced. The CO₂ responses varied between sites and years. For marketable-size tubers, this variation was unrelated to variation in ambient-CO₂ treatment yields. Yield increases resulting from the 680 μl l⁻¹ and 550 μl l⁻¹ treatments were similar. Thus elevating [CO₂] from 550 to 680 μl l⁻¹ was less effective than elevating [CO₂] from ambient to 550 μl l⁻¹. On average, CO₂ elevation to 680 μl l⁻¹ increased the dry weight of marketable-size tubers by about 17%, which far exceeded the average ozone-induced yield loss of about 5%. The net effect of raising CO₂ and O₃ concentrations on the European potato crop would be an increase marketable yield.     

CO2 and ozone effects on canopy development of potato crops across Europe

This paper describes the effects of elevated CO₂ (550 and 680 μl l⁻¹) and O₃ (60 nl l⁻¹ O₃ as an 8 h mean), alone or in combination, on canopy development and senescence in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Bintje) across a range of European agro-climatic conditions. The assessments were made within the European CHIP project (CHanging climate and potential Impacts on Potato yield and quality) that was conducted for two growing seasons (1998 and 1999) in free air CO₂ enrichment systems (FACE) and open-top chamber facilities (OTCs) at seven European sites. A comparison of chambered and unchambered experimental plots was included to examine the effects of chamber enclosure. Phenological growth stages, plant height, leaf area index (LAI) and the number of green and yellow leaves were recorded non-destructively throughout the growing season and by a destructive intermediate harvest at maximum leaf area (MLA). In the dynamic growth analysis CO₂ and O₃ effects were studied over three developmental stages: canopy expansion, full canopy and canopy senescence. Chamber enclosures promoted potato crop development (taller plants, more leaves) during the initial growth stages and led to a faster decline of LAI and a higher number of yellow leaves. The growth in ambient plots varied between sites and seasons, as did the scale of the treatment responses. Despite the large background variation, some overall treatment effects could be detected across all sites. Both levels of increased CO₂ reduced final plant height in comparison to ambient concentrations, which indicates a premature ending of the active plant growth. At the stage of full canopy and crop senescence the average number of green leaves was significantly (P<0.05) decreased by 680 μl l⁻¹ CO₂ (OTC experiments) and LAI showed the same tendency (P=0.07). As there was however no indication of a decreased leaf formation during initial growth and at full canopy, this must have been due to an earlier leaf fall. In the FACE experiments LAI had already began to decline at the stage of full canopy at 550 μl l⁻¹ CO₂ but not in ambient CO₂ (DAE×CO₂, P<0.05). These observations strongly indicated that elevated CO₂ induced a premature senescence during full canopy. O₃ did not have an overall detrimental effect on crop development during initial growth nor at full canopy, but did induce a faster reduction of LAI during crop senescence (DAE×O₃, P<0.05). Final plant height was not affected by O₃. There were few CO₂×O₃ interactions detected. There was a suggestion (P=0.06) that O₃ counteracted the CO₂-induced decrease of green leaves at full canopy, but on the other hand during crop senescence the decline of LAI due to elevated O₃ was faster at ambient compared to elevated CO₂ (P<0.05). These responses of canopy development to elevated CO₂ and O₃ help to explain the treatment responses of potato yield within the CHIP project at sites across Europe.     

Effects of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on potato tuber quality in the European multiple-site experiment ‘CHIP-project’

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L cv. Bintje) was exposed to ambient and elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂), to ambient and elevated ozone (O₃) and to elevated levels of both gases during two growing seasons, 1998 and 1999. Experiments in open-top chambers (OTC) were carried out in Finland, Sweden, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium and a FACE (Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment) experiment was carried out in Italy. In OTCs the plants were grown under ambient CO₂ concentrations or with 550 and 680 μl l⁻¹ CO₂ alone or in combination with ambient or elevated O₃ concentrations (target seasonal mean of 60 nl l⁻¹ 8 h per day). In the FACE systems the plants were exposed to ambient or 550 μl l⁻¹ CO₂. In the OTC experiments the reducing sugar content of potato tubers decreased significantly with increased concentration of O₃. The starch content of potato tubers decreased, with negative impact on tuber quality, but the ascorbic acid concentration increased as a function of the AOT40 (The sum of the differences between hourly ozone concentration and 40 nl l⁻¹ for each hour when the concentration exceeds 40 nl l⁻¹ during a relevant growing season). However, simultaneous exposure to elevated CO₂ counteracted the ozone effect. With increase in the CO₂ exposure, glycoalkaloid and nitrate concentrations decreased yielding improved quality, while the citric acid concentration decreased causing a higher risk for discoloration after cooking. The amount of dry matter and starch increased significantly in the FACE experiment.     

Growth and yield responses of spring wheat to increasing carbon dioxide, ozone and physiological stresses: a statistical analysis of ‘ESPACE-wheat’ results

One of the major goals of the European Stress Physiology and Climate Experiment (ESPACE-wheat) was to investigate the sensitivity of wheat growth and productivity to the combined effects of changes in CO₂ concentration, ozone and other physiological stresses. Experiments were performed at different sites throughout Europe, over three consecutive growing-seasons using open-top chambers. This paper summarizes the main experimental findings of the effects of CO₂ enrichment and other factors i.e. ozone (O₃), drought stress or nitrogen supply on the biomass and yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Minaret). Final harvest data from different sites and seasons were statistically analysed: (1) to identify main effects and interactions between experimentally controlled factors; and (2) to evaluate quantitative relationships between environmental variables and biological responses. Generally, ‘Minaret’ wheat did not respond significantly to O₃, suggesting that this cultivar is relatively tolerant to the O₃ levels applied. The main effect of CO₂ was a significant enhancement of grain yield and above-ground biomass in almost all experiments. Significant interactions between CO₂ and other factors were not common, although modifications in different N- and water supplies also led to significant effects on grain yield and biomass. In addition, climatic factors (in particular: mean air temperature and global radiation) were identified as important co-variables affecting grain yield or biomass, repectively. On average, the yield increase as a result of a doubling of [CO₂] was 35% compared with that observed at ambient CO₂ concentrations. However, linear regressions of grain yield or above-ground biomass for individual experiments revealed a large variability in the quantitative responses of ‘Minaret’ wheat to CO₂ enrichment (yield increase ranging from 11 to 121%). Hence, CO₂ responsiveness was shown to differ considerably when the same cultivar of wheat was grown at different European locations. Multiple regression analyses perfomed to evaluate the relative importance of the measured environmental parameters on grain yield indicated that although yield was significantly related to five independent variables (24 h mean CO₂ concentration, 12 h mean O₃ concentration, temperature, radiation, and drought stress), a large proportion of the observed variability remained unexplained.     

Photosynthetic and stomatal responses of potatoes grown under elevated CO2 and/or O3—results from the European CHIP-programme

The physiological effects of elevated CO₂ and/or O₃ on Solanum tuberosum cv. Bintje were examined in Open-Top Chambers during 1998 and 1999 at experimental sites across Europe as part of the EU ‘Changing Climate and Potential Impacts on Potato Yield and Quality’ programme (CHIP). At tuber initiation (≈20 days after emergence, DAE) elevated CO₂ (680 μl l⁻¹) induced a 40% increase in the light saturated photosynthetic rate (A_sat) of fully expanded leaves in the upper canopy. This was 16% less than expected from short-term exposures of plants grown under ambient CO₂ (360 μl l⁻¹) to elevated CO₂, indicating that photosynthetic acclimation began at an early stage of crop growth. This effect resulted from a combination of a 12% reduction in stomatal conductance (g_s) and a decline in photosynthetic capacity, as indicated by the significant reductions in the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (Vc_max) and light-saturated rate of electron transport (J_max) under elevated CO₂. The seasonal decline in the promotion of photosynthesis by elevated CO₂ reflected the concurrent decrease in g_s. Vc_max and J_max were both reduced in plants grown under elevated CO₂ until shortly after maximum leaf area (MLA) was attained. Although non-photorespiratory mitochondrial respiration in the light (R_d) increased during the later stages of the season, net photosynthesis was consistently increased by elevated CO₂ during the main part of the season. Photosynthetic rate declined more rapidly in response to elevated O₃ under ambient CO₂, and the detrimental impact of O₃ was most obvious after MLA was attained (DAE 40–50). Several exposure indices were compared, with the objective of determining the critical ozone level required to induce physiological effects. The critical O₃ exposure above which a 5% reduction in light saturated photosynthetic rate may be expected (expressed in terms of cumulative exposure above 0 nl l⁻¹ O₃ between emergence and specific dates during the season (AOT0-cum)) was 11 μl l⁻¹ h; however this value should only be extrapolated beyond the CHIP dataset with caution. The interaction between O₃ and stomatal behaviour was more complex, as it was influenced by both long-term and daily exposure levels. Elevated CO₂ counteracted the adverse effect of O₃ on photosynthesis, perhaps because the observed reduction in stomatal conductance decreased O₃ fluxes into the leaves. The results are discussed in the context of nitrogen deficiency, carbohydrate accumulation and yield.     

The effects of climatic variation in Europe on the yield response of spring wheat cv. Minaret to elevated CO2 and O3: an analysis of open-top chamber experiments by means of two crop growth simulation models

In the ESPACE-Wheat programme, 25 open-top chamber experiments were carried out in 1994, 1995 and 1996, on nine locations, divided over eight European countries. In most experiments, spring wheat cv. Minaret was subjected to two levels of atmospheric CO₂ and two levels of ozone. Grain yields in the control treatments (ambient levels of CO₂ and O₃) varied strongly between sites. Also, yield response to elevated CO₂ and O₃ showed great variation. The present study was conducted to determine whether climatic differences between sites could account for the observed variation.

Two simulation models were used for the analysis: AFRCWHEAT2-O3 and LINTULCC. AFRCWHEAT2-O3 simulates phenology, canopy development and photosynthesis in greater detail than LINTULCC. Both models account for the effects of radiation and temperature on crop growth. New algorithms were developed to simulate the effects of CO₂ and O₃. Weather data that were measured in the experiments were used as input, and simulated growth responses to CO₂ and O₃ were compared with measurements. No attempt was made to merge the two models. Thus two independent tools for analysis of data related to climate change were developed and applied.

The average measured grain yield in the control treatment, across all 25 experiments, was 5.9 tons per hectare (t ha⁻¹), with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.9 t  ha⁻¹. The models predicted similar average yields (5.5 and 5.8 t ha⁻¹ for AFRCWHEAT2-O3 and LINTULCC, respectively), but smaller variation (SD for both models: 1.2 t ha⁻¹). Average measured yield increase due to CO₂-doubling was 30% (SD 22%). AFRCWHEAT2-O3 expected a slightly lower value (24%, SD 9%), whereas LINTULCC overestimated the response (42%, SD 11%). The average measured yield decrease due to nearly-doubled O₃ levels was 9% (SD 11%). Both models showed similar results, albeit at lower variation (7% yield decrease at SDs of 6 and 4%). Simulations accounted well for the observation that, at elevated CO₂, the percentage yield loss due to O₃ was lower than at ambient CO₂.

The models predicted lower variation among sites and years than was measured. Yield response to CO₂ and O₃ was predicted to depend on the climate, with a predominant effect of temperature on the response to CO₂. In the measurements, these climatic effects were indeed observed, but a greater part of the variation was not related to light intensity, temperature, CO₂, or O₃. This unexplained variability in the measured dataset was probably caused by factors not accounted for in the models, possibly related to soil characteristics.

We therefore conclude that even perfect information on the climate variables examined in ESPACE-Wheat, i.e. light intensity and temperature, by itself would be insufficient for accurate prediction of the response of spring wheat to future elevated levels of CO₂ and O₃.     

Sensitivity of Corn, Oats, Peanuts, Rice, Rye, Sorghum, Soybean and Tobacco to UV-B Radiation under Growth Chamber Conditions

Sensitivity of different agronomic crops to UV-B radiation was studied under environmentally controlled conditions. UV-B radiation reduced plant height, fresh weight, dry weight and ash contents. The reduction varied among the different species tested. Narrow-leaved plants (mainly C₄) were less sensitive to UV-B than broad-leaved plants (mainly C₃).     

Chlorophyll content of spring wheat flag leaves grown under elevated CO2 concentrations and other environmental stresses within the ‘ESPACE-wheat’ project

Spring wheat cv. Minaret was grown in open-top chambers at four sites across Europe. The effect of different treatments (CO₂ enrichment, O₃ fumigation, drought stress and temperature) on the chlorophyll content of the flag leaf was investigated using the MINOLTA SPAD-502 meter. Under optimum growth conditions the maximum chlorophyll content, which was reached at anthesis, was consistent among the sites ranging from 460 to 500 mg chlorophyll m⁻². No significant effect of elevated CO₂ or O₃ was observed at anthesis. Leaf senescence, indicated by the chlorophyll breakdown after anthesis, was relatively constant in the control chambers. Under control conditions, thermal time until 50% chlorophyll loss was reached was 600°C day. Elevated CO₂ caused a faster decline in chlorophyll content (thermal time until 50% chlorophyll loss was reduced to 500–580°C day) indicating a faster rate of plant development at two experimental sites. The effect of ozone on chlorophyll content depended on the time and dose of O₃ exposure. During grain filling, high O₃ concentrations induced premature senescence of the flag leaves (up to −130°C day). This deleterious effect was mitigated by elevated CO₂. Drought stress led to faster chlorophyll breakdown irrespective of CO₂ treatment.     

Effects on nutrients and on grain quality in spring wheat crops grown under elevated CO2 concentrations and stress conditions in the European, multiple-site experiment ‘ESPACE-wheat’

Nutrient element concentrations and grain quality were assessed in spring wheat grown under elevated CO₂ concentrations and contrasting levels of tropospheric ozone at different nitrogen supply rates at several European sites. Carbon dioxide enrichment proved to affect nutrient concentrations in a complex manner. In green leaves, all elements (with exception of phosphorus and iron) decreased. In contrast, effects on the element composition of grains were restricted to reductions in nitrogen, calcium, sulphur and iron. Ozone exposure resulted in no significant effects on nutrient element concentrations in different tissues in the overall analysis. The nitrogen demand of green tissues was reduced due to CO₂ enrichment as shown by reductions in the critical leaf nitrogen concentration and also enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Reductions in the content of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and repression of the photorespiratory pathway and reduced nitrogen allocation to enzymes driving the photosynthetic carbon oxidation cycle were chiefly responsible for this effect. Thus, nitrogen acquisition by the crop did not match carbon acquisition under CO₂ enrichment. Since crop nitrogen uptake from the soil was already completed at anthesis, nitrogen allocated to the grain after anthesis originated from vegetative pools—causing grain nitrogen concentrations to decrease under CO₂ enrichment (on average by 15% when CO₂ concentrations increased from 360 to 680 μmol mol⁻¹). Correspondingly, grain quality was reduced by CO₂ enrichment. The Zeleny value, Hagberg value and dry/wet gluten content decreased significantly with increasing [CO₂]. Despite the beneficial impact of CO₂ enrichment on growth and yield of C₃ cereal crops, declines in flour quality due to reduced nitrogen content are likely in a future, [CO₂]-rich world.