Sunmmary. Barley and pea plants were grown tunder several regimens of different compositions of soil atmosphere, the 0., concentration varying from 0 to 21 % and the CO2 concentration from 0 to 8 %. In absence of CO, the effect of 09 on root length in barley was characterized by equal root lengths within the range of 21 to 7 % 0 and a steep decline between /7 and 0 %. In peas, while showing the same general response, the decline occturred between 14 and 7 % 02. Root numbers of the seminal roots of barley decreased already with reduction in 02 concentration from 21 to 14 %. Dry matter production was affected somewhat differently by 09 and C00 concentration. Dry matter production in barley was reduiced at 14 % 02 while root length decreased between 7 and 0 %. In peas, dry matter production was favored by low (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9). The stusceptibility and limits of tolerance to changes in the concentrations of these gases can be assumed plant specific (4,5,9