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Cited by 117Plant responses to elevated CO2Climate change impacts on agricultureGreenhouse Technology and Climate Control

A review of elevated atmospheric CO2 effects on plant growth and water relations: implications for horticulture

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Prior, Stephen A., Runion, G. Brett, Marble, S. Christopher, Rogers, Hugo H., Gilliam, Charles H., Torbert, H. Allen·2011·HortScience
DOI 10.21273/hortsci.46.2.158
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Abstract

Empirical records provide incontestable evidence for the global rise in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration in the earth's atmosphere. Plant growth can be stimulated by elevation of CO 2 ; photosynthesis increases and economic yield is often enhanced. The application of more CO 2 can increase plant water use efficiency and result in less water use. After reviewing the available CO 2 literature, we offer a series of priority targets for future research, including: 1) a need to breed or screen varieties and species of horticultural plants for increased drought tolerance; 2) determining the amount of carbon sequestered in soil from horticulture production practices for improved soil water-holding capacity and to aid in mitigating projected global climate change; 3) determining the contribution of the horticulture industry to these projected changes through flux of CO 2 and other trace gases (i.e., nitrous oxide from fertilizer application and methane under anaerobic conditions) to the atmosphere; and 4) determining how CO 2 -induced changes in plant growth and water relations will impact the complex interactions with pests (weeds, insects, and diseases). Such data are required to develop best management strategies for the horticulture industry to adapt to future environmental conditions.

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  • In terrestrial studies, elevated CO2 levels have shown increased plant growth and leaf production as well as reduced water usage.

    “In terrestrial studies, elevated levels of CO 2 have shown increased plant growth and leaf production as well as reduced water usage (Prior et al., 2011).”

    From Spirulina supported plant growth in regolith simulants and elevated levels of CO2 (2025) · cites this paper as Prior et al., 2011

    The PLANT GROWTH section says elevated CO₂ increases plant growth, and PLANT WATER RELATIONS reports reduced transpiration. The retrieved passages do not establish increased leaf production. They also caution that reduced transpiration does not always mean reduced whole-plant water use: larger plants can use more water despite improved water-use efficiency (page not available in our copy). (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 15

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Authors
Prior, S. A., Runion, G. B., Marble, S. C., Rogers, H. H., Gilliam, C. H., & Torbert, H. A.
Affiliations
Agricultural Research Service (US)
Corresponding author
Prior, Stephen A.
ORCID
Venue
HortScience
Publisher
American Society for Horticultural Science
Published
2011-02
Volume
46
Issue
2
Pages
158-162
ISSN
  • 0018-5345 (ISSN-L)
  • 2327-9834
DOI
10.21273/hortsci.46.2.158
OpenAlex
W2201414312
Cited by
117
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
HortScience (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Agricultural Research Service
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant responses to elevated CO2
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Climate change impacts on agriculture
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Greenhouse Technology and Climate Control
Keywords
elevated CO2, plant growth, water relations, water use efficiency, horticultural crops, drought tolerance breeding, soil carbon sequestration, soil water holding capacity, climate change mitigation, nitrous oxide, methane, pest interactions, crop yield

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