Response of potato to elevated CO₂ under short days: Growth, physiological parameters and tuber yield

An experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Potato Research Station, Jalandhar during 2014–15 to studythe effect of elevated CO₂ concentration (600 ppm) on the physiological parameters, growth and yield of potatounder short day conditions. Effects on plant growth and yield was positive with increased stem height (7.5%), stem numbers (18.9%), leaf area (19.4% at 70 DAP), photosynthesis (21% at 40 DAP) and total biomass product(14%). Tuber yield increased by 28% under CO₂ enrichment. Although harvest index did not change, specificleaf area (−2.6%) and stomatal conductance (−19%) decreased under CO₂ enrichment. The increase in biomass and tuber yield may be due to enhanced leaf area coupled with increased rate of photosynthesis.