Elevated CO2 increases yield of aluminium-resistant wheat in acid soil

Soil acidity and climate change threaten future food production. Dong et al. investigate the effects of free-air CO₂ enrichment (550 vs. 400 µmol mol^-1) on plant growth and yield of hexaploid wheat lines differing in Al³⁺-resistance.

Elevated CO₂ increased the grain yield of lines carrying the TaMATE1B (22%) and TaALMT1 (31%) Al³⁺-resistance genes, but did not increase the grain yield of Al³⁺-sensitive lines. In addition, elevated CO₂promoted vegetative growth of lines carrying TaMATE1B without affecting ear number. This study suggests that Al³⁺-resistant genes, particularly TaALMT1, should be maintained in wheat germplasm to realise yield potential in acid soils under a future high-CO₂ environment.