Effect of Elevated CO2 Concentration on Early Growth of Pongamia pinnata and Jatropa curcas: Bio - Diesel Yielding Plants

The present study aimed to know the impact of using elevated CO2 concentration on the seedling growth of Pongamia pinnata and Jatropa curcas. Seedling growth and quality parameters of both the species were significantly influenced by their exposure to elevated CO2 concentration. In Pongamia pinnata, the per cent increase in collar diameter, leaf area and total biomass due to elevated CO2 with organic matter over control was 68.1, 59.64 and 82.7 respectively. The corresponding increase in these parameters was 47.54, 53.45 and 271.0 per cent in Jatropa curcas. This study clearly indicated the increased plant growth parameters of Pongamia pinnata and Jatropa curcas due to the elevated CO2 concentration.