Impact of Climate Change on Important Plant Diseases in Australia: A report for the Rural Industries Researchand Development Corporation

Atmospheric CO2 concentration has increased by 30% since pre-industrial times. If carbon emissions were maintained at near-1994 levels of 6 Gt per year, CO2 concentration would reach about 500 ppm by the end of the year 2100, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. CO2 fertilization of crops is expected to increase net primary production from an enhanced rate of photosynthesis and water use efficiency but this increase will be modulated by damage from disease, weed competition and herbivory by insect pests.