Cotton root and rhizosphere responses to free-air CO{sub 2} enrichment
- Auburn Univ., AL (United States)
- Oak Rige National Lab., TN (United States)
Plant responses to above-ambient levels of CO{sub 2} have been summarized in several excellent reviews of recent origin, each with its own special intent. Very little is known of how root and rhizosphere processes are affected by additional CO{sub 2}. To help fill this gap in our knowledge base we have begun work in this area. Herein, we describe the early results of a first ever study of cotton growing in an open filed enriched with CO{sub 2}. Data suggest that elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} stimulates cotton root proliferation. It may be inferred that other below ground processes impacted by root proliferation could also shift. Both root length density and root weight density appear to increase, especially in the upper layers of the soil profile. Enhanced growth of cotton roots resulted in a more thorough exploration of the soil volume occupied, possibly increasing water and nutrient availability. Increased rooting induced by CO{sub 2} enrichment could become very important for seedling establishment, especially for a crop under stress. For agronomic conditions where water and nutrients are essentially unlimited, denser root patterns may have less significance than under the limiting circumstances of more primitive or sustainable agricultural systems, or in natural ecosystems. A more thorough understanding of the implications of CO{sub 2}-enhanced root growth must await further experimentation. 43 refs., 2 figs., 10 tabs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 54367
- Journal Information:
- CRC Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, Vol. 11, Issue 2/3; Other Information: PBD: 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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