Exposure of wheat mini canopies to current and future CO₂ and climatic conditions is being performed in a specific CO₂ and climate chamber system. The system consists of six identical chambers (Vötsch Type VB 1514/S BioLine, area 1.7 m², volume 2.7 m³) which are able to reproduce future CO₂ concentrations and climatic conditions. Mini canopies of wheat will be grown from sowing to harvest under a typical local climate profile and exposed to current ambient CO₂ concentrations resp. to concentrations as expected for the year 2050 (390 bzw. 550 µmol/l). In addition, heat waves and corresponding soil drought will be applied during different developmental stages of wheat.

During the experiments, leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic capacity will be assessed and total transpiration at canopy level determined. Nutrient elements, carbohydrates, amino acids, and phenolic compounds will be analysed in mature wheat grains in order to define yield quality. Subtle effects on yield quality will be assessed by means of metabolomic methods.