ABSTRACT
In previous chapters we have compared, in passing, plants with the C3 and C4 photosynthetic systems. In Chapter 6 (chapter on roots), we learned about carbon isotope ratios of plants with different photosynthetic pathways. In this chapter, we speci£cally compare the two photosynthetic systems, the advantage of C4 photosynthesis, which results in greater dry matter production, and the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. Then we compare different kinds of C3 and C4 plants (crop plants, grassland plants, marsh plants, and tropical grasses) grown under elevated CO2.
