Ten daylit, controlled-environment cabinets were used to investigate the possible impacts of global rises in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature on beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.) and bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) plants. Their responses to CO2 concentrations of 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 vpm and temperatures of 12, 13·5, 15, 16·5 and 18°C were examined by using a fractional factorial design for the two treatment factors. Use of the daylit cabinets allowed the plants to be grown in natural light, common atmospheric humidities (vpd 0·7 kPa) and non-limiting supplies of water and mineral nutrients.

Polynomial models were used to summarize the whole plant dry weight and fresh weight yield responses and to indicate the potential impact of climate change. Additionally, the models were used to generate predictions of the percentage change in whole plant dry weight and plant fresh weight yield for the years 2025 and 2050 relative to 1992. Baseline values of 350 vpm for CO2 and a mean temperature of 13·5°C for 1992 together with forecast CO2 values of 407 and 442 vpm and temperature increases of 0·7 and 1·1 C for 2025 and 2050 respectively were used. For 2025, fresh weight yield changes of +19%, +9% and +13% were obtained for beetroot, carrot and onion crops respectively, while for 2050 the respective changes were +32%, +13% and +21%.

Measurements of the ratio of the maximum diameter of the bulb to the minimum diameter of the neck for onions showed that there was little or no influence of CO2, whereas the effect of temperature was substantial. Bulbing was accelerated by high temperature and was greatly delayed at low temperature. At temperatures <15°C, the delays to bulbing resulted in the development of undesirable, thick-necked onions which tended to remain green with erect leaves. These results suggest, therefore, that a warmer climate will be advantageous for the commercial production of bulb onions in Britain.