Effect of Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Competitive Ability of Clover: Measurements of Growth and rubisCO

White clover (Trifolium repens cv. Grasslands Huia) was grown in competition with one of 10 established grass species or else grown alone. Plants were grown at either 350 or 700 ppm CO2, at 28/23°C and 700 µmol/m1/sec photon flux density. Plant growth and extractable ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (rubisCO) were measured. Grass growth responded less to CO2 than clover. In the absence of grass competition, clover growth Increased 30% under 700 ppm CO2 compared with 350 ppm, but the response varied from 0% to 100% • when grass competition was present. Increased CO2 reduced extractable rubisCO activity (expressed on a leaf area or weight basis), reflecting feedback control on photosynthesis.