Evaluation of the Effect of Photosynthesis on Biomass Production with Simultaneous Analysis of Growth and Continuous Monitoring of CO2 Exchange in the Whole Plants of Radish,cv Kosena under Ambient and Elevated CO2

Abstract

The effects of elevated CO₂ (approximate doubling of atmospheric CO₂ concentration) on the rate of photosynthesis estimated from continuous monitoring of CO₂ exchange in whole plants were investigated in radish cv. Kosena accompanied with simultaneous analysis of growth for 6 days from 15 to 21 days after planting (DAP). The elevated CO₂ increased the dry weights of hydroponically grown radish plants by 59% at 21 DAP.

The increase in dry weight was due to a combined effect of increased leaf area and increased photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area. Leaf area and the photosynthetic rate were increased by elevated CO₂ by 18-43% and 9-20%, respectively, during 15 to 21 DAP. Namely, an increase in the rate of photosynthesis is accompanied by an increase in leaf area, both having a significant effect on biomass production.