Elevated CO2 levels cause mineral deficiency in plants resulting in less nutritious crops

Increased levels of carbon dioxide will lead to more productive plants since plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Scientists from the Institute for Plant Science of Montpellier in France explain in a review that elevated levels of CO 2 make it difficult for plants to obtain minerals necessary to grow and provide food.

According to the research director of France's National, there are many reports in the literature showing that the CO 2 levels will lead to a lower concentration of nitrogen in most plants.

It is important to understand why growing plants at elevated CO 2 has a negative effect on the food we eat.

Plants take CO 2 and convert it into sugars that are used for energy. Plants don't get the minerals they need from photosynthesis The minerals are picked up from the soil by the plant's root systems. Nitrogen is important because it is a key building block for the plant's amino acids.

A nitrogen deficiency means that a plant won't be able to build its tissues and that it won't be able to provide food for humans. The elevation of CO 2 has a negative impact on the composition of the main crops used worldwide. Antoine Martin is a researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research.

The phenomenon may affect two of the most important vitamins for humans. The first one is nitrogen-based. Plants grown at elevated CO 2 can have as much as 30% lessprotein than plants grown at a lower CO 2. Iron is the second one. Two billion people are affected by iron deficiency.

The negative feedback loop for climate change may be caused by lowered mineral status of plants. If most of the vegetation is deficient in nitrogen and other minerals, it may prevent any additional increase of CO 2 capture from the atmosphere.

Martin wants to understand how elevated CO 2 affects the mineral composition of plants. We are currently exploring the natural genetic variation behind these negative effects that could be used to improve crops nutrition under future CO 2 atmosphere.

Trends in Plant Science sheds light on the decline of plant mineral nutrition.

Journal information: Trends in Plant Science