Elevated CO₂ alters seed composition and quality in Brassica

The effect of elevated CO₂ (550 ± 50 ?mol mol⁻¹) on seed composition and quality in two cultivars of Brassica viz. RH 30 (B. juncea) and Pusa Gold (B. campestris) was studied in open-top chambers. Elevated CO₂ enhanced yield attributes viz. seed yield, total number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, pod dry weight per plant, seed yield, thousand-seed weight and harvest index. Total and reducing sugar, starch and oil content increased significantly, however, total soluble protein decreased in both the cultivars under elevated CO₂. Fatty acid profile of seeds suggested alteration of saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratio under elevated CO₂.