Ozone exposure consistently increases δ13C in wheat grain

Broberg, Malin C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5370-4894; Espino, Melissa Chang; Hayes, Felicity ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1037-5725; Fernandez, Ignacio Gonzalez ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4585-4619; Pleijel, Håkan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6975-5984. 2025 Ozone exposure consistently increases δ13C in wheat grain. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 232, 106124. 7, pp. 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106124

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text N539088JA.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract/Summary

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a regional air pollutant, formed by solar radiation from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. It is known to impair crop yields. The mechanisms of O3 damage to plants are linked to gas exchange and carbon metabolism. The carbon isotopic signature in plant tissues represented by δ13C offers a time-integrating approach to assess the performance of plant gas exchange. We combined wheat grain δ13C data from seven O3 experiments performed in four countries (Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom). For one experiment δ13C data for stems were available. There was a significant positive relationship between grain δ13C and O3 exposure (R2=0.37). Using a relative scale to account for variation in the δ13C level among experiments, a stronger linear relationship was obtained (R2=0.77). Furthermore, the relative yield loss from O3 was negatively linked to the relative effect on δ13C (R2=0.72). Stems were more depleted in 13C than grain but also showed a significant, less steep, positive δ13C relationship with O3 exposure. The most important conclusion from the positive relationship between δ13C and O3 exposure is that the O3 effect on stomatal conductance dominates over the impairment of CO2 fixation by Rubisco. However, also discrimination associated with redistribution of carbohydrates from non-reproductive plant parts to grains can contribute to the O3 effect on δ13C. Based on the unified pattern of δ13C response over a range of experiments performed in different sites, we conclude that the mechanisms of O3 damage in wheat with respect to gas exchange are highly consistent.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.envexpbot.2025.106124
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Land-Atmosphere Interactions (2025-)
ISSN:	0098-8472
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	carbon, grain, yield, isotope, stem, Triticum aestivum
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Agriculture and Soil Science Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	14 Mar 2025 14:48 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539088

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...