Wheat yield response to elevated O3 concentrations differs between the world's major producing regions

Ground-level ozone (O3) concentration is rising in Asia, which accommodates the world's top-two wheat producers (China and India). Because wheat is among the species of high O3 sensitivity, yield loss due to rising O3 in Asia is a major threat to global wheat supply. We estimated the relationships between O3 dose on AOT40 (accumulated daytime O3 concentrations above 40 ppb for 90 days) and relative wheat yield for four wheat producing regions: China, India, Europe and North America using results of O3 elevation experiments conducted therein. When compared on the same AOT40, the estimated yield loss was greatest in China followed by India, Europe, and North America in this order. In China, Europe and North America, the yield loss was primarily due to the reduction of single grain weight, whereas in India reduction of the number of grains contributed more to the yield loss than single grain weight. The greater response of the number of grains to O3 in India can be explained by the earlier start of O3 elevation, but the seasonal change in O3 concentrations cannot explain the lower yield loss in North America than China and India. Referring to the past reports of lower yield sensitivity to O3 in older cultivars, we compared the year of release of cultivars between the regions. In North America, they used cultivars released in 1980s or earlier, whereas in China they used cultivars released in 2000s. In Europe and India, most cultivars were released between those in North America and China. The difference in cultivars could therefore be a cause the differential yield response among the regions. We argue that the O3-induced yield loss should be quantified using the dose-response relationships for each region accounting for the effects of seasonal change in O3 concentrations, cultivars and climate on the yield response.

Automated summary

Ground-level ozone concentration is increasing in Asia, which poses a major threat to global wheat supply as wheat is highly sensitive to ozone. Comparing China, India, Europe, and North America, China has the highest estimated yield loss followed by India, Europe, and North America. The reduction in single grain weight contributes to yield loss in China, Europe, and North America, while the reduction in the number of grains contributes more in India. The difference in cultivars used among regions may explain the differential yield response. It is important to quantify ozone-induced yield loss for each region, taking into account the effects of seasonal ozone concentration changes, cultivars, and climate.