The involvement of the phytohormone ethylene in the adaptation of Arabidopsis rosettes to enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations

•Field chambers were used to study the impact of elevated CO2 on Arabidopsis.•No stimulation of rosette growth was seen in wild-type plants and ethylene mutants.•A transcriptome analysis revealed the affected biological processes.•Elevated CO2 impairs photosynthetic capacity and causes stress.•Ethylene is involved in the response to elevated CO2.