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Cultivars ofTriticum aestivum,T. durum, andSecale cerealewere grown at low (2 μM) and sufficient (500 μM) phosphorus (P) under ambient carbon dioxide (380 μmol mol−1; aCO2) and elevated CO2(700 μmol mol−1, eCO2) to study responses of cereal species in terms of growth and P utilization efficiency (PUE) under P x CO2interaction. Dry matter accumulation increased under eCO2with sufficient P. Nevertheless, dry matter accumulated at eCO2with low-P was similar to that obtained at aCO2with sufficient P. Leaf area was 43% higher under eCO2with sufficient P. Significant increase in lateral root density, length and surface area were noted at low-P under eCO2. Phosphorus use efficience (PUE) increased by 59% in response to eCO2­in low-P plants. Thus, eCO2can partly compensate effect of low-P supply because of improved utilization efficiency. Among cereals, durum wheat was more suitable in terms of PUE under high CO2and limiting P supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]