Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

A CO2 Concentration Gradient Facility for Testing CO2 Enrichment and Soil Effects on Grassland Ecosystem Function
Published on: November 21, 2015
The interactive effects of elevated CO2 and O 3 concentration on photosynthesis in spring wheat
I F McKee1, P K Farage, S P Long
1Department of Biology, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, CO4 3SQ, Colchester, Essex, UK.
Abstract:
This study investigated the interacting effects of carbon dioxide and ozone on photosynthetic physiology in the flag leaves of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Wembley), at three stages of development. Plants were exposed throughout their development to reciprocal combinations of two carbon dioxide and two ozone treatments: [CO2] at 350 or 700 μmol mol(-1), [O3] at < 5 or 60 nmol mol(-1). Gas exchange analysis, coupled spectrophotometric assay for RuBisCO activity, and SDS-PAGE, were used to examine the relative importance of pollutant effects on i) stomatal conductance, ii) quantum yield, and iii) RuBisCO activity, activation, and concentration. Independently, both elevated [CO2] and elevated [O3] caused a loss of RuBisCO protein and Vcmax. In combination, elevated [CO2] partially protected against the deleterious effects of ozone. It did this partly by reducing stomatal conductance, and thereby reducing the effective ozone dose. Elevated [O3] caused stomatal closure largely via its effect on photoassimilation.
More Related Videos
07:12High-Throughput, In-Field Screening of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Crop Plants Using an Autonomous Robot
Published on: January 9, 2026
06:04Author Spotlight: Innovative Approaches to Understanding Plant Structure-Function Relationships for Climate-Resilient Crops
Published on: July 12, 2024
Related Concept Videos
The Calvin Benson Cycle
Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated....
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Responses to Salt Stress