Responses of selected plant species to elevated carbon dioxide in the field

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6094426

Rogers, H H; Bingham, G E; Cure, J D; Smith, J M; Surano, K A

It has become of interest to study long-term effects of CO/sub 2/ concentration on plant growth, because intensive burning of fossil fuels and destruction of forests promise to continue the recent rise in atmospheric partial pressures of CO/sub 2/ into the next century (Bolin, 1977; Stuiver, 1978). Effects of CO/sub 2/ enrichment on growth of crop and forest species were therefore studied for the first time in the field in open top exposure chambers at daytime mean CO/sub 2/ concentrations of 612, 936, 1292, and 1638 mg m/sup -3/, and in ambient control plots. Increased growth of plant parts of corn (Zea mays L. 'Golden Bantam'), soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr.) 'Ransom'), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) were recorded. Growth increases for soybean and sweetgum in elevated CO/sub 2/ atmospheres were due to increases in leaf area and photosynthesis per unit leaf area, and decreases in conductance and, therefore, water use. For corn, however, photosynthesis was unaffected by CO/sub 2/ enhancement, and growth stimulation appeared to be due to lowered conductance and increased water use efficiency alone.

• Research Organization: North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-81ER60001
• OSTI ID: 6094426
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 12:4; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CEREALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONIFERS
CROPS
FOOD
GRASS
GROWTH
MAIZE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PINES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLLUTION
SOYBEANS
STIMULATION
SYNTHESIS
TREES
VEGETABLES