Elevated CO₂ Impact on Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yield, Wholemeal Quality, and Sanitary Risk

Abstract

The rising atmospheric CO 2, concentration is expected to exert a strong impact on crop production, enhancing crop growth but threatening food security and safety. An improver wheat, a hybrid, and its parents were grown at elevated CO 2, e[CO 2 ] in open field, and their yield and rheological, nutritional, and sanitary quality were assessed. For all cultivars, grain yield increased (+16%) and protein content decreased (−7%), accompanied by a reduction in dough strength. Grain nitrogen yield increased (+24%) only in ordinary bread making cultivars. e[CO 2 ] did not result in significant changes in phenolic acid content and composition, whereas it produced a significant increase in the deoxynivalenol content. Different responses to e[CO 2 ] between cultivars were found for yield parameters, while the effect on qualitative traits was quite similar. In the upcoming wheat cropping systems, agronomic practices and cultivar selection suited to guarantee higher nitrogen responsiveness and minimization of sanitary risk are required.

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Heat on Wheat Grain Quality

“…Along with the lowered protein concentration in grain, the composition of amino acids and their concentrations were also modified under eCO2, and the size distribution was significantly shifted towards smaller grains [5]. Blandino et al [57] also suggested a 7% decrease of protein content in four winter wheat cultivars, accompanied by a reduction in dough strength of plants grown under FACE conditions. A three-year field trial in Australia demonstrated that eCO2 consistently decreased baking quality and grain protein content in wheat, and protein composition changed towards a greater glutenin/gliadin ratio in all years [58].…”

Effects of Durum Wheat Cultivars with Different Degrees of FHB Susceptibility Grown under Different Meteorological Conditions on the Contamination of Regulated, Modified and Emerging Mycotoxins

“…1881/2006, with a limit of 1750 µg kg −1 in unprocessed durum wheat) [12]. However, recent quantitative estimations have shown that increased DON contamination can be expected in cereals in certain regions in Europe as a result of future climate change [13,14]. Although the contamination of wheat grains by DON depends mainly on the meteorological conditions, particularly at flowering [15], an important role is also played by agronomic factors [16].…”

Integrated Mycotoxin Management System in the Feed Supply Chain: Innovative Approaches

“…There is a significant interest in understanding the climate change-related abiotic factor impact (increased temperature, elevated CO₂, and extremes in water availability) on the relative risks of mycotoxin contamination and influences on feed/food safety and security [ 65 , 66 ]. Extreme climate conditions such as floods and droughts, which have not commonly occurred in the past, may be factors in crop contamination by various species of toxigenic fungi and related mycotoxins [ 67 , 68 ]. Fungal plant pathogens are expected to move globally and to change the diversity of diseases and pests invading essential crops with economic and social expenses.…”

“…Environmental stress has been revealed to have significant implications for mycotoxin production. Elevated CO₂ causes a consistent effect on the mycotoxin content [ 68 ]; climate change has radically influenced the global agricultural sector through restrictions in water, vegetative land, and temperature elevation that increase humidity. The high humidity raises moisture levels, enabling fungal growth and mycotoxin formation [ 71 ].…”

“…conditions such as floods and droughts, which have not commonly occurred in the past, may be factors in crop contamination by various species of toxigenic fungi and related mycotoxins [67,68]. Fungal plant pathogens are expected to move globally and to change the diversity of diseases and pests invading essential crops with economic and social expenses.…”