Effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 on carbohydrate partitioning and plant growth

The effect of elevated CO2 on changes in shoot and root soluble carbohydrat e and starch content, and various growth parameters was investigated in an apoplastic (Bellis perennis) and a symplastic loader (Epilobium hirsutum). Comparison with data on other plant species, grown under the same climatic conditions, showed that the way of phloem loading might not be the decisive factor to explain differences in shoot carbohydrate pool between various p lant species. We speculate that the growth strategy of a plant is the major factor in explaining differences in carbohydrate partitioning and magnitud e of growth stimulation by elevated CO2.