Abstract
In order to better elucidate fixed-C partitioning, nutrient acquisition and water relations of prairie grasses under elevated [CO2], we grew the C4 grass Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) lag ex Steud. from seed in soil-packed, columnlysimeters in two growth chambers maintained at current ambient [CO2] (350 µL L−1) and twice enriched [CO2] (700 µL L−1). Once established, plants were deficit irrigated; growth chamber conditions were maintained at day/night temperatures of 25/16°C, relative humidities of 35%/90% and a 14-hour photoperiod to simulate summer conditions on the shortgrass steppe in eastern Colorado. After 11 weeks of growth, plants grown under CO2 enrichment had produced 35% and 65% greater total and root biomass, respectively, and had twice the level of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection (19.8% versus 10.8%) as plants grown under current ambient [CO2]. The CO2-enriched plants also exhibited greater leaf water potentials and higher plant water use efficiencies. Plant N uptake was reduced by CO2 enrichment, while P uptake appeared little influenced by CO2 regime. Under the conditions of the experiment, CO2 enrichment increased root biomass and VAM infection via stimulated growth and adjustments in C partitioning below-ground.
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Abbreviations
- []:
-
concentration
- DAP:
-
Days after planting
- VAM:
-
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae
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Morgan, J.A., Knight, W.G., Dudley, L.M., Hunt, H.W. (1994). Enhanced root system C-sink activity, water relations and aspects of nutrient acquisition in mycotrophic Bouteloua gracilis subjected to CO2 enrichment. In: Curtis, P.S., O’Neill, E.G., Teeri, J.A., Zak, D.R., Pregitzer, K.S. (eds) Belowground Responses to Rising Atmospheric CO2: Implications for Plants, Soil Biota, and Ecosystem Processes. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 60. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0851-7_14
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