The Effect of Increased CO2 Levels on Wheat Quality

Researchers in Sweden have concluded  that higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can negatively impact the quality of wheat. The study, which was recently published in the journal Global Change Biology, found that higher levels of carbon dioxide stimulate photosynthesis and increase the rate at which plants grow, forcing wheat plants to increase their uptake of nutrients such as nitrogen to a corresponding level to maintain normal nutritional (protein) value. The scientists, based at the University of Gothenburg, found that the protein content in wheat drops as carbon dioxide increases even though wheat yield may not affected, a result attributed to a dilution effect that occurs when nitrogen uptake does not keep up with the increased growth of the wheat grain. The researchers also concluded that the apparent negative effect of CO2 on the ability of plants to absorb nitrogen cannot be countered simply through increased fertilization. Read more