Effects of atmospheric CO2 levels on the susceptibility of maize to diverse pathogens
Authors: Khwanbua, E., Qi, Y., Ssengo, J., Liu, P., Graham, M. A., Whitham, S.
Date: 2026-01-02 · Version: 1
DOI: 10.64898/2025.12.31.697224 Category: Plant Biology
Model Organism: Zea mays
▶ AI Summary
The study examined how elevated atmospheric CO₂ (550 ppm) affects immunity in the C₄ cereal maize (Zea mays L.) by exposing plants grown under ambient and elevated CO₂ to a range of pathogens. Elevated CO₂ increased susceptibility to sugarcane mosaic virus, decreased susceptibility to several bacterial and fungal pathogens, and left susceptibility to others unchanged, with reduced bacterial disease linked to heightened basal immune responses. These findings provide a baseline for future investigations into CO₂‑responsive defense mechanisms in C₄ crops.
elevated CO₂ maize plant immunity pathogen susceptibility C4 crops