Increased [CO2] Causes Changes in Physiological and Genetic Responses in C4 Crops: A Brief Review

Abstract

Climate change not only worries government representatives and organizations, but also attracts the attention of the scientific community in different contexts. In agriculture specifically, the cultivation and productivity of crops such as sugarcane, maize, and sorghum are influenced by several environmental factors. The effects of high atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide ([CO2]) have been the subject of research investigating the growth and development of C4 plants. Therefore, this brief review presents some of the physiological and genetic changes in economically important C4 plants following exposure periods of increased [CO2] levels. In the short term, with high [CO2], C4 plants change photosynthetic metabolism and carbohydrate production. The photosynthetic apparatus is initially improved, and some responses, such as stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, are normally maintained throughout the exposure. Protein-encoding genes related to photosynthesis, such as the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, to sucrose accumulation and to biomass growth and are differentially regulated by [CO2] increase and can variably participate owing to the C4 species and/or other internal and external factors interfering in plant development. Despite the consensus among some studies, mainly on physiological changes, further studies are still necessary to identify the molecular mechanisms modulated under this condition. In addition, considering future scenarios, the combined effects of high environmental and [CO2] stresses need to be investigated so that the responses of maize, sugarcane, and sorghum are better understood.

Climate Change Modulates Multitrophic Interactions Between Maize, A Root Herbivore, and Its Enemies

“…CO 2 increased leaf biomass and decreased root benzoxazinoid contents. This is consistent with some previous work showing that CO 2 elevation can lead to larger shoot biomass, even in C4 plants, while in most cases root growth was unaffected (Wand et al 1999;Silva et al 2020). CO 2 -driven changes of metabolite composition have previously been Fig.…”

Carbon enrichment enhances photosynthetic efficiency of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) under low light conditions

“…Increased the photosynthetic rate leading to improved plant growth, biomass and yield is the most reported crop response to ECO 2 . However, physiological responses under ECO 2 are more complex than earlier thought (Silva et al 2020). ECO 2 has been instrumental in alleviating the negative effect of extreme growing conditions on plants.…”

Physiological and molecular implications of multiple abiotic stresses on yield and quality of rice

“…Under climate change, the photosynthetic apparatus should be improved and some physiological responses such as stomatal conductance and transpiration rate should be maintained. The sensitivity of rice to HNT could be overcome by surveying germplasm to develop climate-resilient varieties for eCO 2 responsiveness through marker development and genomic mapping ( Silva et al., 2020 ; Bahuguna et al., 2022 ). Supplementary Figure 2 shows the interactive effect of high temperature, and eCO 2.…”