Ozone effects on wheat in relation to CO2:: modelling short-term and long-term responses of leaf photosynthesis and leaf duration

A combined stomatal-photosynthesis model was extended to simulate the effects of ozone exposure on leaf photosynthesis and leaf duration in relation to CO2. We assume that ozone has a short-term and a long-term effect on the Rubisco-limited rate of photosynthesis, A(c). Elevated CO2 counteracts ozone damage via stomatal closure. Ozone is detoxified at uptake rates below a threshold value above which A(c) decreases linearly with the rate of ozone uptake. Reduction in A(c) is transient and depends on leaf age. Leaf duration decreases depending on accumulated ozone uptake. This approach is introduced into the mechanistic crop simulation model AFRCWHEAT2. The derived model, AFRCWHEAT2-O3, is used to test the capability of these assumptions to explain responses at the plant and crop level. Simulations of short-term and long-term responses of leaf photosynthesis, leaf duration and plant and crop growth to ozone exposure in response to CO2 are analysed and compared with experimental data derived from the literature. The model successfully reproduced published responses of leaf photosynthesis, leaf duration, radiation use efficiency and final biomass of wheat to elevated ozone and CO2. However, simulations were unsatisfactory for cumulative radiation interception which had some impact on the accuracy of predictions of final biomass. There were responses of leaf-area index to CO2 and ozone as a result of effects on tillering which were not accounted for in the present model. We suggest that some model assumptions need to be tested, or analysed further to improve the mechanistic understanding of the combined effects of changes in ozone and CO2 concentrations on leaf photosynthesis and senescence. We conclude that research is particularly needed to improve the understanding of leaf-area dynamics in response to ozone exposure and elevated CO2.