Although it is true that plants do require CO, it is also true that they need it.2To thrive, it seems that even plants can do it.
Our CO2Plants are gradually becoming less able to absorb vital nutrients as a result of habit, which is why they aren’t getting the nutrients they need.
This is how you should look at it. New reviewBoth experimental and natural data have been used to inform past and current research.
“What is certain is that the CO elevation has a negative effect on the nutrient content of the major crops, like wheat and rice.2,” explainsAntoine Martin, molecular biologist from the French National Centre for Scientific Research. “This will have a significant impact on food quality, global food security and food safety.”
CO2 can be used in certain situations.2 in photosynthesis supplies plants with their sugars, most plants use their roots to collect other nutrients – including nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron – in the soil.
“Many reports have been published in the literature proving that CO”2The 21st century’s expected levels of nitrogen will result in a decrease in the concentration of most plants. This will primarily affect the protein content of plant products.” SaysAlain Gojon, biologist at France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, is one example.
This phenomenon was first observed by researchers in experimental conditions It was more than 20 Jahre agoBut it is now also a part of the natural environment.
Long-term studiesOn forests, there was a decline in the mineral content of their leaves. Archived Plant SamplesThe nutrient content of foods from over a century ago was higher than the current equivalents.
Additionally, plants have already been found in places with naturally higher atmospheric CO.2 – like by volcanoes – have decreased nitrogen levels compared to those nearby with lower CO2 levels.
This phenomenon could affect two main nutrients essential to human nutrition. explains Gojon. “The first is proteins made from nitrogen. This is a problem in many developing countries. Many of these countries don’t have high-quality protein diets, and the CO levels in their plants can make it difficult to eat.2You can get 20-30% less protein. Iron is the second. An estimated 2 billion people are already affected by iron deficiency worldwide.”
Increases in CO2Reduce nutrients at the source. It is unlikely to be the sole factor. The simple explanation that nutrient supplies are not able to keep pace with carbon biomass’s rapid growth doesn’t explain it.
There must be more, but there are only a few interesting hypotheses. The main suspect, especially for nitrogen deficiency in particular, is the excessive CO2It can interfere with the physiology that is involved in plant nutrient transport systems.
It is unclear how exactly this can be done, as research has so far shown conflicting results.
Researchers call for urgent investigation into the mechanisms.
“CO2“It is an environmental change that plants are not used to facing for at least 3,000,000 years,” says the team. Their paper explains.. “It could then be argued that unlike other abiotic constraints such as temperature and hydrolic stress, there has not been any selection pressure to promote the emergence or conservation of adaptive responses.”
This is bad news for all of us, because plant growth is one the few proven methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. drawing down CO2 – something we urgently need to accomplish now to Slow down climate change.
Initial increases in CO are not sustainable.2So far, they have been encouraged more vegetation growthThese nutrient limits have been in place for 40 years and will limit the ability of global vegetation to absorb carbon over the next century, warns the Gojon team.
Researchers suggest that genetics may be used to mitigate this problem because there is variation in plant strains and nutrient losses.
“Understanding the causes and negative effects of elevated CO2Plant nitrogen nutrition will not only ensure the nutritional quality of crops, but also increase crop productivity and mitigate any potential damage. Climate Change“Gojon and coworkers Conclusion in their paper.
This research was published by Trends in Plant Science.
