Elevated atmospheric CO₂ changes defence allocation in wheat but herbivore resistance persists.

ABSTRACT: Predicting how plants allocate to different anti-herbivore defences in response to elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations is important for understanding future patterns of crop susceptibility to herbivory. Theories of defence allocation, especially in the context of environmental change, largely overlook the role of silicon (Si), despite it being the major anti-herbivore defence in the Poaceae. We demonstrated that elevated levels of atmospheric CO₂ (e[CO₂]) promoted plant growth by 33% and caused wheat (Triticum aestivum) to switch from Si (-19%) to phenolic (+44%) defences. Despite the lower levels of Si under e[CO₂], resistance to the global pest Helicoverpa armigera persisted; relative growth rates (RGRs) were reduc

SUBMITTER: Johnson SN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8848237 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature