Elevated Carbon Dioxide - A Hidden Ally Against Elevated Ozone Stress for Plant and Soil Ecosystem: A Review

Rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ozone (O₃) are reshaping agroecosystem functioning with profound implications for global food security. Elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) stimulates crop productivity by enhancing photosynthesis and carbohydrate supply, while elevated O₃ (eO₃) suppresses growth through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, stomatal impairment, and premature senescence. To gain a holistic understanding of this phenomenon, this review aims to synthesize current knowledge on eCO₂-eO₃ interactions on plant ecosystem. This review emphasizes two principal perspectives: a) aboveground responses include modulation of physiological performance, biochemical regulation, and yield determinants and b) belowground processes include changes in root morphology, rhizosphere microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and organic matter turnover. Moreover, spatial and temporal heterogeneity further shapes these interactions, requiring integrative eCO₂-eO₃ interactions analyses under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) to anticipate long‑term agricultural outcomes. Collectively, the review highlights the urgency for coordinated, multi‑site, and long‑term studies to resolve uncertainties about eCO₂-eO₃ interactions and their implications for crop productivity, nutritional quality, and resilience. Advancing this understanding is critical for developing adaptive management strategies that safeguard food security across diverse agroecosystems under changing climate scenarios.