Effects of elevated CO2 on the chrysanthemum leaf-miner, Chromatomyia syngenesiae: a greenhouse study

Although feeding behaviour of Chromatomyia syngenesiae on plants grown in elevated CO₂ (ambient + 200ppm) was unaffected, leaf-miner development was slower in elevated compared to ambient CO₂ atmospheres. Pupal weight was lower at high CO₂ and correlated with the area of leaf mined; no such correlation existed in ambient CO₂. There appears to be no compensatory feeding by the leaf-miner for the reduced food quality of plants growing in elevated CO₂. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Direct effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration on whole canopy dark respiration of rice

The purpose of this study was to test for direct inhibition of rice canopy apparent respiration by elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]) across a range of short‐term air temperature treatments. Rice (cv. IR‐72) was grown in eight naturally sunlit, semiclosed, plant growth chambers at daytime [CO₂] treatments of 350 and 700 μmol mol^?1. Short‐term night‐time air temperature treatments ranged from 21 to 40 °C. Whole canopy respiration, expressed on a ground area basis (R_d), was measured at night by periodically venting the chambers with ambient air. This night‐time chamber venting and resealing procedure produced a range of increasing chamber [CO₂] which we used to test for potential inhibitory effects of rising [CO₂] on R_d. A nitrous oxide leak detection system was used to correct R_d measurements for chamber leakage rate (L) and also to determine if apparent reductions in night‐time R_d with rising [CO₂] could be completely accounted for by L. The L was affected by both CO₂ concentration gradient between the chamber and ambient air and the inherent leakiness of each individual chamber. Nevertheless, after correcting R_d for L, we detected a rapid and reversible, direct inhibition of R_d with rising chamber [CO₂] for air temperatures above 21 °C. This effect was larger for the 350 compared with the 700 μmol mol^?1 daytime [CO₂] treatment and was also increased with increasing short‐term air temperature treatments. However, little difference in R_d was found between the two daytime [CO₂] treatments when night‐time [CO₂] was at the respective daytime [CO₂]. These results suggest that naturally occurring diurnal changes in both ambient [CO₂] and air temperature can affect R_d. Because naturally occurring diurnal changes in both [CO₂] and air temperature can be expected in a future higher CO₂ world, short‐term direct effects of these environmental variables on rice R_d can also be expected.     

大气CO2浓度升高对植物根系的影响

植物长期生长在CO2浓度不断升高的环境中,其结构和功能都将受到影响,这种影响不仅表现在植物的地上部分,同时也表现在植物的地下部分(根系),尤其是细根的长度、直径、产量、周转以及根与枝的分配模式等方面。植物根系结构和功能的改变影响植物地上部分和生态系统物质循环中的碳动态及土壤中碳库的变化。目前有关大气CO2浓度升高对根系动态影响的研究报道主要包括大气CO2浓度升高对根系结构(直径、分枝、长度、数量等)和根系生理(周转率、产量、碳分配模式等)的影响2个方面。目前,该领域研究还存在一些不足,例如在CO2浓度升高条件下,对植物根系内部的调控机制,以及由其引起的物质循环和能量流动的动态变化的了解较少;至今没有令人信服的证据说明大气CO2浓度升高使根系周转升高还是降低。今后应加强研究在CO2浓度升高条件下根系的周转变化和光合产物分配模式变化,CO2浓度升高和外界环境因素的共同作用对根系的影响,以及采用不同研究方法和研究对象在不同立地条件下开展升高CO2浓度对根系影响的对比研究等。     

30 years of free‐air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE): What have we learned about future crop productivity and its potential for adaptation?

Free‐air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) allows open‐air elevation of [CO₂] without altering the microclimate. Its scale uniquely supports simultaneous study from physiology and yield to soil processes and disease. In 2005 we summarized results of then 28 published observations by meta‐analysis. Subsequent studies have combined FACE with temperature, drought, ozone, and nitrogen treatments. Here, we summarize the results of now almost 250 observations, spanning 14 sites and five continents. Across 186 independent studies of 18 C₃ crops, elevation of [CO₂] by ca. 200 ppm caused a ca. 18% increase in yield under non‐stress conditions. Legumes and root crops showed a greater increase and cereals less. Nitrogen deficiency reduced the average increase to 10%, as did warming by ca. 2°C. Two conclusions of the 2005 analysis were that C₄ crops would not be more productive in elevated [CO₂], except under drought, and that yield responses of C₃ crops were diminished by nitrogen deficiency and wet conditions. Both stand the test of time. Further studies of maize and sorghum showed no yield increase, except in drought, while soybean productivity was negatively affected by early growing season wet conditions. Subsequent study showed reduced levels of nutrients, notably Zn and Fe in most crops, and lower nitrogen and protein in the seeds of non‐leguminous crops. Testing across crop germplasm revealed sufficient variation to maintain nutrient content under rising [CO₂]. A strong correlation of yield response under elevated [CO₂] to genetic yield potential in both rice and soybean was observed. Rice cultivars with the highest yield potential showed a 35% yield increase in elevated [CO₂] compared to an average of 14%. Future FACE experiments have the potential to develop cultivars and management strategies for co‐promoting sustainability and productivity under future elevated [CO₂].     

Elevated CO2 reduces disease incidence and severity of a red maple fungal pathogen via changes in host physiology and leaf chemistry

Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are predicted to double within the next century. Despite this trend, the extent and mechanisms through which elevated CO₂ affects plant diseases remain uncertain. In this study, we assessed how elevated CO₂ affects a foliar fungal pathogen, Phyllosticta minima, of Acer rubrum growing in the understory at the Duke Forest free‐air CO₂ enrichment experiment in Durham, North Carolina. Surveys of A. rubrum saplings in the 6th, 7th, and 8th years of the CO₂ exposure revealed that elevated CO₂ significantly reduced disease incidence, with 22%, 27%, and 8% fewer saplings and 14%, 4%, and 5% fewer leaves infected per plant in the three consecutive years, respectively. Elevated CO₂ also significantly reduced disease severity in infected plants in all years (e.g. mean lesion area reduced 35%, 50%, and 10% in 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively). To assess the mechanisms underlying these changes, we combined leaf structural, physiological and chemical analyses with growth chamber studies of P. minima growth and host infection. In vitro exponential growth rates of P. minima were enhanced by 17% under elevated CO₂, discounting the possibility that disease reductions were because of direct negative effects of elevated CO₂ on fungal performance. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) verified that conidia germ tubes of P. minima infect A. rubrum leaves by entering through the stomata. While stomatal size and density were unchanged, stomatal conductance was reduced by 21–36% under elevated CO₂, providing smaller openings for infecting germ tubes. Reduced disease severity under elevated CO₂ was likely due to altered leaf chemistry and reduced nutritive quality; elevated CO₂ reduced leaf N by 20% and increased the C : N ratio by 20%, total phenolics by 15%, and tannins by 14% (P<0.05 for each factor). The potential dual mechanism we describe here of reduced stomatal opening and altered leaf chemistry that results in reduced disease incidence and severity under elevated CO₂ may be prevalent in many plant pathosystems where the pathogen targets the stomata.     

Will photosynthesis of maize (Zea mays) in the US Corn Belt increase in future [CO2] rich atmospheres? An analysis of diurnal courses of CO2 uptake under free‐air concentration enrichment (FACE)

The C₄ grass Zea mays (maize or corn) is the third most important food crop globally in terms of production and demand is predicted to increase 45% from 1997 to 2020. However, the effects of rising [CO₂] upon C₄ plants, and Z. mays specifically, are not sufficiently understood to allow accurate predictions of future crop production. A rainfed, field experiment utilizing free‐air concentration enrichment (FACE) technology in the primary area of global corn production (US Corn Belt) was undertaken to determine the effects of elevated [CO₂] on corn. FACE technology allows experimental treatments to be imposed upon a complete soil–plant–atmosphere continuum with none of the effects of experimental enclosures on plant microclimate. Crop performance was compared at ambient [CO₂] (354 μ mol mol^?1) and the elevated [CO₂] (549 μmol mol^?1) predicted for 2050. Previous laboratory studies suggest that under favorable growing conditions C₄ photosynthesis is not typically enhanced by elevated [CO₂]. However, stomatal conductance and transpiration are decreased, which can indirectly increase photosynthesis in dry climates. Given the deep soils and relatively high rainfall of the US Corn Belt, it was predicted that photosynthesis would not be enhanced by elevated [CO₂]. The diurnal course of gas exchange of upper canopy leaves was measured in situ across the growing season of 2002. Contrary to the prediction, growth at elevated [CO₂] significantly increased leaf photosynthetic CO₂ uptake rate (A) by up to 41%, and 10% on average. Greater A was associated with greater intercellular [CO₂], lower stomatal conductance and lower transpiration. Summer rainfall during 2002 was very close to the 50‐year average for this site, indicating that the year was not atypical or a drought year. The results call for a reassessment of the established view that C₄ photosynthesis is insensitive to elevated [CO₂] under favorable growing conditions and that the production potential of corn in the US Corn Belt will not be affected by the global rise in [CO₂].     

Temperature gradient chambers for research on global environment change. II. A twin-wall tunnel system for low-stature, field-grown crops using a split heat pump

A temperature gradient chamber (TGC) is described which enables elevated CO₂ concentrations and a dynamic temperature gradient to be imposed on field crops throughout their life cycle under standard husbandry. Air is circulated through two double-walled polyethylene-covered tunnels connected to a split heat pump system to give a near-linear temperature gradient along each tunnel. Solar energy gain along each tunnel and exchange with outer tunnel air flow contribute to the temperature gradient and also produce diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations corresponding to ambient conditions. Mean temperature gradients of between 3 and 5°C have been recorded throughout the growing seasons of crops of lettuce, carrot, cauliflower and winter wheat. Elevated or present CO₂ concentrations are maintained in each of two pairs of tunnels throughout the cropping season using pure CO₂ injected through motorized needle valves. This system can realistically simulate aspects of the effects of projected future environmental change on crop growth, development and yield, and in particular tin-possible interaction of the effects of increased CO₂ and temperature.     

Soil CO2 efflux in a boreal pine forest under atmospheric CO2 enrichment and air warming

The response of forest soil CO₂ efflux to the elevation of two climatic factors, the atmospheric concentration of CO₂ (↑CO₂ of 700 μmol mol⁻¹) and air temperature (↑ T with average annual increase of 5°C), and their combination (↑CO₂+↑ T ) was investigated in a 4-year, full-factorial field experiment consisting of closed chambers built around 20-year-old Scots pines ( Pinus sylvestris L.) in the boreal zone of Finland. Mean soil CO₂ efflux in May–October increased with elevated CO₂ by 23–37%, with elevated temperature by 27–43%, and with the combined treatment by 35–59%. Temperature elevation was a significant factor in the combined 4-year efflux data, whereas the effect of elevated CO₂ was not as evident. Elevated temperature had the most pronounced impact early and late in the season, while the influence of elevated CO₂ alone was especially notable late in the season. Needle area was found to be a significant predictor of soil CO₂ efflux, particularly in August, a month of high root growth, thus supporting the assumption of a close link between whole-tree physiology and soil CO₂ emissions. The decrease in the temperature sensitivity of soil CO₂ efflux observed in the elevated temperature treatments in the second year nevertheless suggests the existence of soil response mechanisms that may be independent of the assimilating component of the forest ecosystem. In conclusion, elevated atmospheric CO₂ and air temperature consistently increased forest soil CO₂ efflux over the 4-year period, their combined effect being additive, with no apparent interaction.