Impacts of Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Temperature on Weed Growth and Physiological Responses

Barman A.; Roy S.; Dutta S.; Kumar V.; Gairola A.; Paul D.; Choudhury M.R.; Das S. · Climate Change: Impact of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Crops, Weeds and Soil Microbes (2025) · DOI: 10.1201/9781003483854-9

Resumen

Weeds pose a significant challenge to the optimal growth of crops, acting as formidable competitors for vital resources such as nutrients, moisture, and sunlight. Furthermore, they serve as alternate hosts for insect pests and pathogens, further exacerbating the complexities faced by agriculture. The escalating issues of climate change and increased greenhouse gas emissions have become major hindrances to agricultural practices and pest dynamics. In this scenario, among various pests, weeds are anticipated to demonstrate significant responses to heightened levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. The impacts of elevated carbon dioxide and temperature on weed growth and physiological responses are intricate and varied. These environmental changes can yield both positive and negative consequences on weeds, contingent upon the specific weed species and the extent of the alterations. Weeds, owing to their diverse gene pool and heightened physiological adaptability, are expected to display greater resilience and adaptability to escalating carbon dioxide concentrations and rising temperatures compared to crops. In agroecosystems, C3 and C4 plants exhibit diverse physiological responses to elevated carbon dioxide and temperature, influencing the dynamics of competition between crops and weeds, as well as the efficacy of herbicides. Given that weeds compete for essential resources such as nutrients, water, and light, they inevitably exert detrimental effects on the quality of crop yields. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of managing the interplay between crops and weeds in the context of a changing climate becomes imperative for sustaining agricultural production.