Photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 in wheat cultivars

Wheat (T. aestivum) cvs. Kalyansona and Kundan grown under atmospheric (CA) and elevated CO₂ concentrations (650±50 cm³ m^-3 - CE) in open top chambers were examined for net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal limitation (l _s) of P _N, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC) activity, and saccharide content of the leaves. The P _N values of both CA- and CE-grown plants compared at the same CO₂ concentration showed a down regulation under CE at the post-anthesis stage. The negative acclimation of P _N appeared to be due to both stomatal and mesophyll components, and the RuBPC activity got also adjusted. There was a decrease in activation state of RuBPC under CE. In connection with this, an increased accumulation of saccharides in wheat leaf under CE was observed. Kalyansona, owing to its larger sink potential in terms of the number of grains, showed a greater enhancement under CE in both post-ear emergence dry matter production and grain yield. Under CE, this cultivar also showed a lower down regulation of P _N than Kundan. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 in wheat cultivars

Wheat (T. aestivum) cvs. Kalyansona and Kundan grown under atmospheric (CA) and elevated CO₂ concentrations (650±50 cm³ m^-3 - CE) in open top chambers were examined for net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal limitation (l _s) of P _N, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC) activity, and saccharide content of the leaves. The P _N values of both CA- and CE-grown plants compared at the same CO₂ concentration showed a down regulation under CE at the post-anthesis stage. The negative acclimation of P _N appeared to be due to both stomatal and mesophyll components, and the RuBPC activity got also adjusted. There was a decrease in activation state of RuBPC under CE. In connection with this, an increased accumulation of saccharides in wheat leaf under CE was observed. Kalyansona, owing to its larger sink potential in terms of the number of grains, showed a greater enhancement under CE in both post-ear emergence dry matter production and grain yield. Under CE, this cultivar also showed a lower down regulation of P _N than Kundan.     

Fermentation and malate metabolism in response to elevated CO2 concentrations in two strawberry cultivars

Concentrations of acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl acetate (EA), organic acids and activities and gene expression of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1), pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC; EC 4.1.1.1), alcohol acyltransferase (AAT; EC 1.4.1.14), malate dehydrogenase (MDH; EC 1.1.1.37), malic enzyme (ME; EC 1.1.1.40) and glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.14) were investigated in two strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cultivars with different responses to CO₂ during storage. 'Jewel' fruit treated with CO₂ accumulated acetaldehyde and ethanol but little EA, while 'Cavendish' accumulated little acetaldehyde or ethanol but accumulated EA. In CO₂-treated fruit, PDC activity was positively correlated with EA accumulation in 'Jewel' but not in 'Cavendish', while no differential effect of atmosphere was observed on its gene expression. ADH activity and gene expression show a correlation with ethanol accumulation in 'Cavendish'. In 'Jewel', there was a positive correlation between ADH gene expression and enzyme activity; however, this correlation does not explain ethanol accumulation in this cultivar. EA accumulation did not show any correlation with AAT activity and gene expression in any of the cultivars. Succinate concentrations were highest and those of malate lowest in CO₂-treated fruit of both cultivars, but MDH and ME activities were not affected by CO₂. Gene expression of MDH and ME were not affected by atmosphere in 'Cavendish', although in 'Jewel' the MDH expression was slightly lower in CO₂- than air-treated fruit. The results of this study show that differences in fermentation products and malate accumulation in CO₂-treated strawberry fruit are not consistently correlated with enzyme activities and gene expression.     

Effects of elevated [CO2] and/or ozone on limitations to CO2 assimilation in soybean (Glycine max)

Soybean (Glycine max) was grown in open-top field chambers at ambient (360 mol mol^-1) or doubled [CO2] either in charcoal-filtered air (20 nmol mol^-1 [O3]) or in non-filtered air supplemented to 1,5 x ambient [O3] (70 nmol mol^-1) to determine the major limitations to assimilation under conditions of elevated [CO2] and/or [O3]. Through plant ontogeny, assimilation versus intercellular CO2 concentration (A/Ci) responses were measured to assess the limitations to assimilation imposed by the capacity for Rubisco carboxylation, RuBP regeneration, and stomatal diffusion.In the vegetative stages, no significant treatment effects of elevated [CO2] and/or [O3] were observed on Rubisco carboxylation efficiency (CE), light and CO2-saturated assimilation capacity (Amax), and chlorophyll content (Chl). However, for plants grown in elevated [CO2], the assimilation rate at growth [CO2] (A) was 60% higher than at ambient [CO2] up to the seed maturation stage, and the potential rate of assimilation by Rubisco capacity (Ap) was increased. Also in elevated [CO2]: A was 51% of Ap; the relative stomatal limitation (%Stomata) was 5%; and the relative RuBP regeneration limitation (%RuBP) was 44%. In ambient [CO2], O3 gradually decreased A per unit leaf area, but had little effect on Ap and the relative limitations to assimilation where A remained 51% of Ap, %Stomata was 27%, and %RuBP was 22%.During reproduction, CE declined for plants grown in elevated [CO2] and/or [O3]; Ap was unaffected by elevated [CO2], but was reduced by [O3] at ambient [CO2]; A increased to 72% of Ap in elevated [CO2] and/or [O3]-fumigated air; the %Stomata increased; and the %RuBP decreased, to become non significant in elevated [CO2] from the beginning of seed growth on, and in O3-fumigated air at ambient [CO2] at the seed maturation stage. The decrease in %RuBP occurred concomitantly with an increase in Amax and Chl. Significant [CO2] x [O3] interactions support the lack of an O3 effect on assimilation and its limitations at elevated [CO2] during seed maturation. These data suggest that elevated [CO2] alleviated some of the effects of O3 on photosynthesis.Keywords: CO2 by O3 interactions, elevated [CO2], O3 fumigation, Rubisco carboxylation efficiency, RuBP regeneration.      

Metabolic bases for differences in sensitivity of two pea cultivars to sulfur dioxide

An oxidative chain reaction of sulfite initiated by the superoxide ion produced in the Mehler reaction has been implicated in the damage of plants exposed to sulfur dioxide. The toxicity of SO₂ may be alleviated by free radical scavenging systems acting to terminate this chain reaction. Hence, the relative sensitivity of plants to SO₂ toxicity could depend on differences in the responses of the levels of antioxidant metabolites and enzymes. The effect of SO₂ exposure on glutathione and ascorbic acid contents, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase activities was assayed in two cultivars (Progress, Nugget) of pea (Pisum sativum L.) in which apparent photosynthesis showed a differential sensitivity to 0.8 microliter per liter SO₂ (R. Alscher, J. L. Bower, W. Zipfel [1987] J Exp Bot 38:99-108). Total and reduced glutathione increased more rapidly and to a greater extent in the insensitive Progress than in the sensitive Nugget, as did glutathione reductase activities. Superoxide dismutase activities increased significantly in Progress, whereas no such change was observed in Nugget as a result of SO₂ exposure. This increase in superoxide dismutase activity was observed at 210 minutes after 0.8 microliter per liter SO₂ concentration had been reached, in marked contrast to the increases in reduced glutathione content and glutathione reductase activity, which were apparent at the 90 minute time point. These data suggest that one basis for the relative insensitivity of the apparent photosynthesis of the pea cultivar Progress to SO₂ is the enhanced response of glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase activities, and glutathione content.     

Soil organic matter dynamics under soybean exposed to elevated [CO2]

It is unclear how changing atmospheric composition will influence the plant–soil interactions that determine soil organic matter (SOM) levels in fertile agricultural soils. Positive effects of CO₂ fertilization on plant productivity and residue returns should increase SOM stocks unless mineralization or biomass removal rates increase in proportion to offset gains. Our objectives were to quantify changes in SOM stocks and labile fractions in prime farmland supporting a conventionally managed corn–soybean system and the seasonal dynamics of labile C and N in soybean in plots exposed to elevated [CO₂] (550 ppm) under free-air concentration enrichment (FACE) conditions. Changes in SOM stocks including reduced C/N ratios and labile N stocks suggest that SOM declined slightly and became more decomposed in all plots after 3 years. Plant available N (>273 mg N kg⁻¹) and other nutrients (Bray P, 22–50 ppm; extractable K, 157–237 ppm; Ca, 2,378–2,730 ppm; Mg, 245–317 ppm) were in the high to medium range. Exposure to elevated [CO₂] failed to increase particulate organic matter C (POM-C) and increased POM-N concentrations slightly in the surface depth despite known increases (≈30%) in root biomass. This, and elevated CO₂ efflux rates indicate accelerated decay rates in fumigated plots (2001: elevated [CO₂]: 10.5 ± 1.2 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ vs. ambient: 8.9 ± 1.0 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹). There were no treatment-based differences in the within-season dynamics of SOM. Soil POM-C and POM-N contents were slightly greater in the surface depth of elevated than ambient plots. Most studies attribute limited ability of fumigated soils to accumulate SOM to N limitation and/or limited plant response to CO₂ fertilization. In this study, SOM turnover appears to be accelerated under elevated [CO₂] even though soil moisture and nutrients are non-limiting and plant productivity is consistently increased. Accelerated SOM turnover rates may have long-term implications for soil’s productive potential and calls for deeper investigation into C and N dynamics in highly-productive row crop systems.     

Protein synthesis at low temperatures in two soybean cultivars differing by their cold sensitivity

The effect of low temperatures (14°C/8°C, day/night) on polypeptide synthesis in leaves of two soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cvs (Verdon and Maple Arrow) differing in cold sensitivity was investigated. The two cultivars were initially characterized in terms of cold tolerance according to their growth at the young plant stage at 14°C/8°C. Verdon was found to be more tolerant than Maple Arrow. In vivo [³⁵S]-methionine labeled polypeptides were resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Autoradiograms were computer analyzed to evidence and quantify significative changes occurring after 5 days at 14°C/8°C, and to compare the response of the two cultivars. Most of the observed changes were quantitative. The two cultivars essentially exhibited a common modified polypeptide pattern in response to cold temperatures, but the changes were quantitatively more pronounced in the most tolerant cultivar. Computer analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels allowed, for the first time, characterization of cultivar differences in terms of protein pattern under cold conditions.     

Influence of sulphur dioxide on the fermentation of sulphite spent liquor

In fodder yeast production from sulphite spent liquor, sulphur dioxide is well-known as a yeast poison. The present paper deals with the detailed influence of sulphur dioxide. The experimental work was done in a laboratory fermenter under technical conditions. A decrease in biomass yield, and an increase in oxygen consumption, caused by increasing carbon dioxide production, were found. During the fermentation, there is no destruction of the carbonyl-bisulphite adduct to be observed. Sulphur dioxide has no influence on the crude protein content of yeast cells, and there is also no influence on the morphology of cells.     

Influence of sulphur dioxide breathing on defensive reflexes of the airways

The influence of sulphur dioxide (SO2) on cough and expiratory reflexes was studied in 22 anaesthetized (pentobarbital, 30 mg/kg i.v.) rabbits. The cough reflex (CR) was elicited by tracheobronchial mucous membrane stimulation, using a soft venous catheter. In order to induce the expiratory reflex (ER) irritation of the larynx was performed by a silon fibre loop. The strength of both reflexes was assessed from the interpleural pressure fluctuation before SO2 breathing, immediately after, and 30-120 minutes after SO2 breathing had been stopped. The animals breathed SO2 in 200-300 ppm concentration through a tracheal cannula. The influence of SO2 on the direct dependence of lung inflation pressure magnitude (LIPM) on strength of the expiratory reflex (ERS) was tested. It was found that elicitability and strength of the cough reflex decreased immediately after SO2 breathing had been stopped, and did not reach the preexposure level at the end of the experiment, i.e. 2 hours after discontinuation of SO2 breathing. The direct dependence of LIPM on ERS in unaffected rabbits [10] was abolished immediately after SO2 breathing had been stopped but was present again 30-60 minutes later, and did not differ significantly from the control values. The results give evidence of the strong depressive influence of SO2 on the defensive reflexes of the airways in rabbits.     

Potential impacts of global elevated CO(2) concentrations on plants

Early experiments investigating the effects of CO(2) enrichment on plants frequently showed photosynthetic stimulation and reduced stomatal aperture over short time periods. Work on the effects of elevated CO(2) has advanced in two major areas: by the extension of long-term and field experiments, and through investigations on the wide range of negative feedbacks affecting plant responses to CO(2). Downward photosynthetic acclimation in response to CO(2) enrichment is frequently observed over the short and long term, and indicates the activity of diverse feedback mechanisms. CO(2) is generally viewed as a limiting photosynthetic resource. However, recent work on stomatal development has shown that this view is simplistic: long- and short-distance signalling of CO(2) concentration are necessary components of normal plant development.     

Effects of temperature on germination and mitochondrial dehydrogenases in two soybean (Glycine max) cultivars

The effects of eight germination temperatures from 10°C to 35°C on germination and dehydrogenase activities of two soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) cultivars were investigated after 48 h of seedling growth. Axis fresh weights of cv. Chippewa increased as germination temperature increased from 10°C to 35°C. In contrast, axis fresh weights for the cv. Wells increased more slowly with increasing temperature and reached a maximum at c. 25°C. In general, in vitro activities of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) from the axes of cv. Chippewa correlated well with increases in axis fresh weights. GDH and MDH activities from axes of the cv. Wells also reflected increases in axis fresh weights although the correlation was not as evident as for the cv. Chippewa. NADP-ICDH activity from ‘Wells’ axes was highest at 35°C even though germination was poor at this temperature. GDH and MDH activities from cotyledons of both cultivars were not correlated with axis weight increases. No GDH activity was detected in ‘Wells’ cotyledons from seeds germinated at 35°C.     

Evidence that elevated CO2 reduces resistance to the European large raspberry aphid in some raspberry cultivars

Global climate change, such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO₂), may accelerate the breakdown of crop resistance to insect pests by compromising expression of resistance genes. This study investigated how eCO₂ (700 μmol/mol) affected the susceptibility of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) to the European large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei) Börner (Homoptera: Aphididae), using a susceptible cultivar (Malling Jewel) and cultivars containing either the A₁ (Glen Lyon) or A₁₀ (Glen Rosa) resistance genes. Compared to plants grown at ambient CO₂ (aCO₂) (375 μmol/mol), growth rates were significantly increased (ranging from 42–300%) in all cultivars at eCO₂. There was some evidence that plants containing the A₁ gene were more susceptible to aphids at eCO₂, with aphid populations doubling in size compared to the same plants grown at aCO₂. Moreover, aphids grew 38% larger (1.36 mg compared with 0.98 mg) on plants with the A₁ resistance gene at eCO₂ compared with those at aCO₂. Aphid performance on plants containing the A₁ gene grown at eCO₂ was therefore similar to that of aphids reared on entirely susceptible plants under either CO₂ treatment. In contrast, aphids did not respond to eCO₂ when reared on plants with the A₁₀ resistance gene, suggesting that plants with this resistance gene remained resistant to aphids at eCO₂.     

Responses of soybean to oxygen deficiency and elevated root-zone carbon dioxide concentration

Root flooding is damaging to the growth of crop plants such as soybean (Glycine max L.). Field flooding for 3 d often results in leaf chlorosis, defoliation, cessation of growth and plant death. These effects have been widely attributed solely to a lack of oxygen in the root-zone. However, an additional damaging factor may be CO(2), which attains levels of 30 % (v/v) of total dissolved gases. Accordingly, the effects of root-zone CO(2) on oxygen-deficient soybean plants were investigated in hydroponic culture. Soybean plants are shown to be very tolerant of excess water and anaerobiosis. No oxygen (100 % N(2) gas) and low oxygen (non-aerated) treatments for 14 d had no effect on soybean survival or leaf greenness, but plants became severely chlorotic and stunted when the roots were exposed to no oxygen together with CO(2) concentrations similar to those in flooded fields (equilibrium concentrations of 30 %). When root-zone CO(2) was increased to 50 %, a quarter of soybean plants died. Those plants that survived showed severe symptoms of chlorosis, necrosis and root death. In contrast, rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were not affected by the combination of no oxygen and elevated root-zone CO(2.) A concentration of 50 % CO(2) did not affect rice plant survival or leaf colour. These results suggest that the high susceptibility of soybean to soil flooding, compared with that of rice, is an outcome of its greater sensitivity to CO(2).     

Leaf temperature of soybean grown under elevated CO2 increases Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae) population growth

Abstract Plants grown under elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) experience physiological changes that influence their suitability as food for insects. To determine the effects of living on soybean (Glycine max Linnaeus) grown under elevated CO₂, population growth of the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) was determined at the SoyFACE research site at the University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign, Illinois, USA, grown under elevated (550 μL/L) and ambient (370 μL/L) levels of CO₂. Growth of aphid populations under elevated CO₂ was significantly greater after 1 week, with populations attaining twice the size of those on plants grown under ambient levels of CO₂. Soybean leaves grown under elevated levels of CO₂ were previously demonstrated at SoyFACE to have increased leaf temperature caused by reduced stomatal conductance. To separate the increased leaf temperature from other effects of elevated CO₂, air temperature was lowered while the CO₂ level was increased, which lowered overall leaf temperatures to those measured for leaves grown under ambient levels of CO₂. Aphid population growth on plants grown under elevated CO₂ and reduced air temperature was not significantly greater than on plants grown under ambient levels of CO₂. By increasing Glycine max leaf temperature, elevated CO₂ may increase populations of Aphis glycines and their impact on crop productivity.     

Effects of fully open-air [CO2] elevation on leaf ultrastructure, photosynthesis, and yield of two soybean cultivars

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of elevated (550 ± 17 ??mol mol^?1) CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) on leaf ultrastructure, leaf photosynthesis and seed yield of two soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Zhonghuang 13 and cv. Zhonghuang 35] at the Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experimental facility in North China. Photosynthetic acclimation occurred in soybean plants exposed to long-term elevated [CO₂] and varied with cultivars and developmental stages. Photosynthetic acclimation occurred at the beginning bloom (R1) stage for both cultivars, but at the beginning seed (R5) stage only for Zhonghuang 13. No photosynthetic acclimation occurred at the beginning pod (R3) stage for either cultivar. Elevated [CO₂] increased the number and size of starch grains in chloroplasts of the two cultivars. Soybean leaf senescence was accelerated under elevated [CO₂], determined by unclear chloroplast membrane and blurred grana layer at the beginning bloom (R1) stage. The different photosynthesis response to elevated [CO₂] between cultivars at the beginning seed (R5) contributed to the yield difference under elevated [CO₂]. Elevated [CO₂] significantly increased the yield of Zhonghuang 35 by 26% with the increased pod number of 31%, but not for Zhonghuang 13 without changes of pod number. We conclude that the occurrence of photosynthetic acclimation at the beginning seed (R5) stage for Zhonghuang 13 restricted the development of extra C sink under elevated [CO₂], thereby limiting the response to elevated [CO₂] for the seed yield of this cultivar.     

Response of archaeal communities in the rhizosphere of maize and soybean to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations

Background

Archaea are important to the carbon and nitrogen cycles, but it remains uncertain how rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ([CO₂]) will influence the structure and function of soil archaeal communities.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We measured abundances of archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA and amoA genes, phylogenies of archaeal 16S rRNA and amoA genes, concentrations of KCl-extractable soil ammonium and nitrite, and potential ammonia oxidation rates in rhizosphere soil samples from maize and soybean exposed to ambient (∼385 ppm) and elevated (550 ppm) [CO₂] in a replicated and field-based study. There was no influence of elevated [CO₂] on copy numbers of archaeal or bacterial 16S rRNA or amoA genes, archaeal community composition, KCl-extractable soil ammonium or nitrite, or potential ammonia oxidation rates for samples from maize, a model C₄ plant. Phylogenetic evidence indicated decreased relative abundance of crenarchaeal sequences in the rhizosphere of soybean, a model leguminous-C₃ plant, at elevated [CO₂], whereas quantitative PCR data indicated no changes in the absolute abundance of archaea. There were no changes in potential ammonia oxidation rates at elevated [CO₂] for soybean. Ammonia oxidation rates were lower in the rhizosphere of maize than soybean, likely because of lower soil pH and/or abundance of archaea. KCl-extractable ammonium and nitrite concentrations were lower at elevated than ambient [CO₂] for soybean.

Conclusion

Plant-driven shifts in soil biogeochemical processes in response to elevated [CO₂] affected archaeal community composition, but not copy numbers of archaeal genes, in the rhizosphere of soybean. The lack of a treatment effect for maize is consistent with the fact that the photosynthesis and productivity of maize are not stimulated by elevated [CO₂] in the absence of drought.