Method for the control of a controlled atmosphere for the storage of plant products in at least one storage- or transport space, where a) the concentration of at least one trace gas that is produced by the plant products and has a share of less than 1% of the controlled atmosphere is measured at least twice at different times; b) the degree of change in the concentration of the trace gas is derived from at least two measuring values as the measure of the production rate of the plant product for said trace gas; c) the control variables for the composition in the controlled atmosphere are determined depending on the degree of change in the concentration of the trace gas, and d) the composition of the controlled atmosphere is adjusted according to the control variables.