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Abstract

The effects of long-term CO2 enrichment on the foliar chemistry of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) and the consequences of these chemical changes on the performance of the tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) were investigated. Foliage was collected from plants grown for kharif season under ambient or enriched CO2 (average 350 ± 25 and 600 ± 50 μl l–1, respectively) in outdoor, open top chambers at the Plant Physiology Division, Indian Agricultural Res- earch Institute, New Delhi. Under enriched CO2, level of leaf nitrogen (protein and non-protein nitrogen) declined and levels of starch and total soluble sugars (reducing and non-reducing) in leaves increased. Long-term bioassay (12 days) of tobacco caterpillar revealed that feeding by herbivores on the leaves of C3 plants may increase due to poor nitrogen concen- tration and increased non-structural carbohydrate levels, and their growth rate may decrease as the level of atmospheric CO2 rises. This change in feeding behaviour of herbivores due to enriched CO2 may cause serious ecological disturbances.