Abstract
Human-induced CO2 emissions since the preindustrial era have accumulated CO2 in the atmosphere which has influenced the plant structure and function including bio-chemical constituents of the plant system. The Himalayan vegetation has been predicted to be more vulnerable and sensitive to climate change. However, it is still not well documented that how atmospheric CO2 concentration will change the biochemical constituents considering nutrients status of Himalayan endangered plants in future climate change. Hence, we examined the impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations (ambient- ~ 400, 600, and 800 µmol CO2 mol− 1) on biochemical constituents (chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, protein, and total sugars and carbon partitioning) and nutrients response (potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium) in leaf, stem and root tissue of Asparagus racemosus Willd. (an endangered medicinal plant species of Himalayas). The results showed that the elevated CO2 concentration significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced the chlorophyll, protein, total sugars, and carbon accumulation conversely diminished ascorbic acid in leaf tissues. The nutrients accumulation especially potassium and magnesium were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved while phosphorus accumulation suppressed under elevated CO2 concentration. Moreover, elevated CO2 notably altered protein, sugars, carbon, and nutrients partitioning in plant tissues viz. leaf, stem, and root of A. racemosus. The fate of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations beyond 800 µmol CO2 mol− 1 will require much more study. Further studies are needed to understand the impacts of elevated CO2 concentration as well as a combination with other associated climatic variables on biochemical response particularly bioactive ingredients/health-promoting substances and nutrient profiling of this and other endangered medicinal plant species for improving livelihood support of the society.
Application of molecular markers in medicinal plant studies
