Growth of bean plants at elevated carbon dioxide concentrations

Plants of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Pure Gold Wax were grown in controlled environment chambers at six CO2 concentrations ranging from 340 to 3000 μL L−1. Data for plant growth analysis were obtained from five harvests from 11 to 55 days after planting. Growth curves were fitted to the data using a cubic spline regression procedure. CO2 enrichment caused large and rapid increases in leaf dry weight, unit leaf rate, and specific leaf weight. Smaller responses included a decrease in leaf area ratio and an increase in leaf weight ratio. Root dry weight and leaf area were not significantly affected by CO2 treatments. Relative growth rate was initially higher in CO2-enriched plants and later declined; it may not be a suitable index for the evaluation of CO2 effects during long periods of growth. The results indicate that leaf formation and expansion were not limited by assimilate supply. Maximum growth and pod yield were obtained in plants grown at 1200 μL L−1 CO2.