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Phosphorus acquisition and growth of Pinus ponderosa under different climate regimes

Journal Article · · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
OSTI ID:95776
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, IL (United States)
  2. Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT (United States)
  3. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States); and others
Ponderosa pine seedlings were grown with an organic P fertilizer in a factorial 2 temp (25 & 30 C) and 2 CO{sub 2} (350 & 700 {mu}l/l) design. Elevated CO{sub 2} stimulated growth and elevated CO{sub 2} and temp increased the specific absorption rate of P by ca. 30%. The percent infection by mycorrhizae increased with elevated CO{sub 2} but decreased with elevated temp. In contrast, the activity of root phosphatases was depressed in seedlings grown under elevated CO{sub 2} and temperature. Thus, there appears to be a functional tradeoff in the mechanisms of P acquisition in different climate regimes. Under current conditions root phosphatase activity is high and mycorrhizal infection is low. This reverses under simulated future conditions of elevated temp and CO{sub 2}. The concentration of soil oxalate also increased under elevated CO{sub 2}. This small organic acid, released by roots and fungi, chelates Ca, Fe, and Al in the soil thereby increasing the availability of inorganic P. Enhanced P acquisition and utilization under elevated CO{sub 2} and temp contributed to higher growth rates suggesting that ponderosa pine may overcome P limitations under future climate conditions.
OSTI ID:
95776
Report Number(s):
CONF-9507129--
Journal Information:
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 76; ISSN BECLAG; ISSN 0012-9623
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English