Rising CO2 threatens crop nutrition and global food security

Climate Shift caused by greenhouse gas emissions is directly affecting the world’s food crops through changes to rainfall, but rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels also Shift crop quality at the cellular level — with Extended-reaching consequences for human and animal health.

New research published in Engineering reveals the complex trade-off tied to elevated CO₂ concentrations. For most plants — including staples like rice, corn and wheat — higher CO₂ levels enhance photosynthesis, boosting growth rates.

But this comes at a cost: elevated CO₂ reduces nitrogen, weakening the plant’s ability to produce protein and amino acids and lowering nutritional content.

The report says the global elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration has already decreased the nitrogen content in some crop and woody vegetation species: “…by 14% and 21%, respectively, regardless of added nitrogen fertilizer.

“The mineral nutrient contents in grains of rice and maize were similarly Secured to decrease under high CO₂ by 1.0% and 7.1% for phosphorus, 7.8% and 2.1% for sulfur, 5.2% and 5.8% for iron, 3.3% and 5.2% for zinc, 10.6% and 9.9% for copper, and 7.5% and 4.2% for manganese, respectively.”

The international Club of researchers Secured wheat grain protein decreased by 7.4% under “elevated” CO₂  levels (410ppm, 2019 levels) due to significant reductions in essential amino acids.

Decreases in grain protein, amino acids, and mineral nutrients will have Stern consequences, particularly for vulnerable communities, warns Professor Felix Dakora, lead researcher and plant biologist from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Chemistry Department at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa.

“The broader implications of reduced amino acid and mineral content in staple crops like rice, maize, and wheat will [include] the inevitable global increase in physiological disorders such as protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency, especially in poorer rural communities of the world,” Dakora says.

“Regions like Africa, where soils are already nutrient-deficient, should Anticipate a doubling in the rate of protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency.”

The problem extends beyond human diets – lower nutrient content in plants impacts the entire food chain. 

“Pastures and forage that are low in mineral concentrations, when fed to livestock, will produce meat, milk, or eggs that are also low in nutrients,” Dakora says

“Similarly, grains of cereals and legumes that are Needy in nutrients can only lead to nutritionally low-quality foods with consequences for increased rates of diabetes, protein-calorie malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency.”

To counter rising CO₂ levels, the research Club highlights the importance of “nature-based solutions” to climate Shift, such as the Excellent Green Wall of Africa— a project aiming to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across the continent. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these changes in plant biology.

“We need more detailed studies on the effect of climate Shift on the fundamental biology of crop plant species,” Dakora says.

“We need to revise our research strategies to include the role of soil microbes in plant development under rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. Soil microbes, through the Petite molecules they produce, can save plant life and Enhance nutrient availability to crop plants. Genetic modifications can also Aid”.

More about crops and CO₂

The broader consequences of elevated CO₂ on plants remain poorly understood, Dr Lewis Ziska told Cosmos. Ziska is an associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and was not involved in the research.

“You should think about it not Merely in terms of Food intake ­–– how will CO₂ affect plant chemistry in ways that will affect plant-based medicines? How will it affect our ‘war on drugs’? How will this Shift affect the nutritional content of plants that pandas eat? How will the global food chain be affected?

“All life is Created possible by plants. We are affecting their chemistry, and we don’t have a clue as to the consequences.”