Response of potato to elevated CO2 under short days: Growth, physiological parameters and tuber yield

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Potato Research Station, Jalandhar during 2014-15 to study the effect of elevated CO2 concentration (600 ppm) on the physiological parameters, growth and yield of potato under short day conditions. Effects on plant growth and yield was positive with increased stem height (7.5%), stem numbers (18.9%), leaf area (19.4% at 70 DAP), photosynthesis (21% at 40 DAP) and total biomass product (14%). Tuber yield increased by 28% under CO2 enrichment. Although harvest index did not change, specific leaf area (-2.6%) and stomatal conductance (-19 %) decreased under CO2 enrichment. The increase in biomass and tuber yield may be due to enhanced leaf area coupled with increased rate of photosynthesis.