Food for Thought: Lower-Than-Expected Crop Yield Stimulation with Rising CO 2 Concentrations
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Urbana University · +3 more institutions
Abstract
Model projections suggest that although increased temperature and decreased soil moisture will act to reduce global crop yields by 2050, the direct fertilization effect of rising carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) will offset these losses. The CO2 fertilization factors used in models to project future yields were derived from enclosure studies conducted approximately 20 years ago. Free-air concentration enrichment (FACE) technology has now facilitated large-scale trials of the major grain crops at elevated [CO2] under fully open-air field conditions. In those trials, elevated [CO2] enhanced yield by approximately 50% less than in enclosure studies. This casts serious doubt on projections that rising [CO2]…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 104.00
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 36
Authors
5- SPStephen P. LongCorresponding
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana University, ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Department of Plant Biology
- EAElizabeth A. Ainsworth
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana University, ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Department of Plant Biology
- ADAndrew D. B. Leakey
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana University, ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Department of Plant Biology
- JNJ. Nösberger
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana University, ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Department of Plant Biology
- DRDonald R. Ort
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana University, ETH Zurich, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Department of Plant Biology
Topics & keywords
- Environmental science
- Climate change
- Human fertilization
- Agronomy
- Crop
- Yield (engineering)
- Carbon dioxide
- Crop yield
- Zero hunger