Response of extrafloral nectar production to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Fabian ◽  
Brian J. Atwell ◽  
Lesley Hughes

Extrafloral nectar attracts ants, whose presence provides protection for the plant against herbivores. Extrafloral nectar is thus a critical component of many plant–insect mutualisms worldwide, so environmental perturbations that alter extrafloral nectar production or composition could be disruptive. The carbon–nutrient balance hypothesis predicts that under elevated CO2 the total volume of extrafloral nectar will increase but the proportion of the foliar carbohydrate pool secreted as extrafloral nectar will decrease, without any change in the sugar composition of the extrafloral nectar. We investigated the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on extrafloral nectar in an Australian wild cotton species, Gossypium sturtianum J.H.Willis. Under elevated CO2 there was an increase in the proportion of leaves actively producing nectar and a decrease in the nectar volume per active leaf. Elevated CO2 did not affect the total volume or composition of extrafloral nectar, but there was a change in how the nectar was distributed within the leaf canopy, as well as evidence of increased turnover of leaves and earlier onset of flowering. By the end of the study, there was no difference in the total resources allocated to extrafloral nectar under elevated CO2, which contrasts with the predictions of the carbon-nutrient balance hypothesis. Developmental changes, however, could affect the timing of extrafloral nectar production which could, in turn, alter the foraging patterns of ants and their defence of plants.


2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juang-Horng Chong ◽  
Marc W. van lersel ◽  
Ronald D. Oetting

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures are increasing and, thus, the interactions between insect herbivores and their host plants in environments of elevated CO2 concentration and temperature must be examined. We investigated the combined effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (400 and 700 μmol mol−1) and temperature (20, 25 and 30°C) on the development, survival and reproduction of two generations of the Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, and the chemical composition of chrysanthemum, Dendranthema × grandiflora Kitam., leaves. The development of the mealybugs was temperature-driven and was not influenced by the CO2 level or the number of generations. At higher temperatures, the duration to egg eclosion and the developmental time of adult females and males were significantly shortened. More eggs survived to adulthood at higher temperatures. Temperature had no influence on the egg eclosion percentage. The reproductive period of females was shortest at 30°C, while fecundity was highest at 20°C. There was a significantly higher proportion of females at the end of the experiment at lower than at higher temperatures. Elevated CO2 level and temperature did not change the chemical composition (nitrogen and carbon concentrations, and carbon-nitrogen ratio) of the host plants. Relative water content of the leaf tissues was higher at 30°C than other temperature treatments. Our results show that the effects of temperature on the biology of the Madeira mealybug were stronger than that of the elevated CO2 concentration.



2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-330
Author(s):  
Mark A. Kelm ◽  
James A. Flore ◽  
Clifford W. Beninger

Apple seedlings (Malus domestica Borkh.) were grown under ambient (370), 700, and 1400 μmol·mol-1 CO2 regimes and artificially damaged by removal of leaf area (0%, 15%, and 30%). Increased CO2 concentration had a highly significant effect on the concentrations of sucrose, sorbitol and phloridzin, however there were no significant interactions between CO2 concentration and leaf damage. As CO2 concentration increased there was an increase in levels of sucrose and phloridzin, whereas sorbitol concentration decreased. These findings are discussed in relation to the carbon nutrient balance hypothesis as well as other hypotheses regarding the production of plant primary and secondary compounds in response to elevated levels of CO2 and mechanical damage and/or herbivory.



2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (4(SI)) ◽  
pp. 1114-1125
Author(s):  
S.K. Rajkishore ◽  
◽  
P. Doraisamy ◽  
M. Maheswari ◽  
K.S. Subramanian ◽  
...  

Aim: To study the influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on the carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns in rice plants. Methodology: Rice (Oryza sativa) plants were placed in Open Top Chambers (OTCs) and exposed to elevated levels of CO2. The treatments consisted of three levels of CO2 (398, 550 and 750 µmol mol-1) and three levels of nitrogen (0, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and replicated five times in completely randomized design. Results: Leaf nitrogen was significantly reduced by 10.6 % and 6.5 % during later stages in rice plants exposed to CO2 @ 750 µmol mol-1 and 550 µmol mol-1, respectively over the ambient CO2. Rice plants under elevated CO2 did not exhibit any variations in Nitrate Reductase activity in leaves in comparison to ambient CO2 at tillering stage. Interestingly, NRase activity in leaves decreased at flowering stage whereas NRase activity in roots increased at same stage. The highest mean nitrogen values (0.58, 0.89 and 1.35 %) were observed in Camb (ambient CO2 concentration) and the lowest values (0.51, 0.80 and 1.27 %) in C750 in roots, straw and grains, respectively. Elevated CO2 @ 750 µmol mol-1 significantly increased the above ground biomass (straw and grain) by 15.6 and 40.1 %, respectively, over the ambient CO2 of 398 µmol mol-1. Interpretation: Elevated CO2 enhanced the grain productivity but affected the quality of rice grains. Thus, excessive nitrogen fertilization above the current recommendation is necessary for future high CO2 environments.



1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
HP Possingham

Biodiversity is characteristically defined on three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. In this paper I consider the impact of elevated CO2 and associated climate change on the biodiversity of terrestrial systems at the species level. I attempt to understand the impact of a rapidly changing physical environment mechanistically. The direct impact of elevated CO2 is emphasised. A changing physical environment will cause behavioural and physiological responses in organisms that will affect population dynamics and interspecific relationships. In the short term, extinctions will occur via the direct interaction of species with their changing environment. Species exposed to new diseases, and species dependent on mutualists or keystone species that become extinct or change geographical range, may become extinct rapidly through interactions with other species. I hypothesise that the effect of environmental change on competitive interactions will play a minor role in causing declines in biodiversity. Existing literature on the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems emphasises the way in which ecosystems and species should track suitable climates across the landscape. Here I argue that each species will be affected in one, or a combination, of the following ways: range change to track shifting climate zones, tolerating the environmental change, microevolutionary change, and extinction.



2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa F. Oliveira ◽  
Lilian B. P. Zaidan ◽  
Márcia R. Braga ◽  
Marcos P. M. Aidar ◽  
Maria Angela M. Carvalho

Carbon allocation in biomass is an important response of plants to the increasing atmospheric [CO2]. The effects of elevated [CO2] are scarcely reported in fructan-accumulating plants and even less in tropical wild species storing this type of carbohydrate. In the present study, the effects of high [CO2] atmosphere was evaluated on growth, biomass allocation and fructan metabolism in Vernonia herbacea (Vell.) Rusby, an Asteraceae from the Brazilian cerrado, which accumulates inulin-type fructans in the underground organs (rhizophores). Plants were cultivated for 120 days in open-top chambers (OTCs) under ambient (~380 μmol mol–1), and elevated (~760 μmol mol–1) [CO2]. Plant growth, photosynthesis, fructan contents, and the activities of fructan metabolising enzymes were analysed in the rhizophores at Time 0 and 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. Plants under elevated [CO2] presented increases in height (40%), photosynthesis (63%) and biomass of aerial (32%) and underground (47%) organs when compared with control plants. Under elevated [CO2] plants also presented higher 1-SST, 1-FFT and invertase activities and lower 1-FEH activity. Although fructan concentration remained unchanged, fructan productivity was higher in plants maintained under elevated [CO2], due to their higher rhizophore biomass. This is the first report on the effects of elevated [CO2] on a plant species bearing underground organs that accumulate fructans. Our results indicate that plants of V. herbacea can benefit from elevated atmospheric [CO2] by increasing growth and carbon allocation for the production of inulin, and may contribute to predict a future scenario for the impact of this atmospheric condition on the herbaceous vegetation of the cerrado.



Stresses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-237
Author(s):  
T. Casey Barickman ◽  
Bikash Adhikari ◽  
Akanksha Sehgal ◽  
C. Hunt Walne ◽  
K. Raja Reddy ◽  
...  

Drought-induced reduction in crop growth and productivity can be compensated by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), a significant contributor to climate change. Drought stress (DS) affects crops worldwide due to dwindling water resources and irregular rainfall patterns. The experiment was set up under a randomized complete block design within a three-by-two factorial arrangement. Six SPAR chambers represent three blocks (10 replications each), where each chamber has 30 pots in three rows. Each chamber was maintained with 30/22 (day/night) °C temperature, with either ambient (aCO2; 420 ppm) or elevated CO2 (eCO2; 720 ppm) concentrations. This experiment was designed to address the impact of DS on the physiological and biochemical attributes and study how the eCO2 helps alleviate the adversity of DS in basil. The study demonstrated that DS + eCO2 application highly accelerated the decrease in all forms of carotene and xanthophylls. eCO2 positively influenced and increased anthocyanin (Antho) and chlorophyll (LChl). eCO2 supplementation increased LChl content in basil under DS. Furthermore, DS significantly impeded the photosynthetic system in plants by decreasing CO2 availability and causing stomatal closure. Although eCO2 did not increase net photosynthesis (Pn) activity, it decreased stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf transpiration rate (E) under DS, showing that eCO2 can improve plant water use efficiency by lowering E and gs. Peroxidase and ascorbate activity were higher due to the eCO2 supply to acclimate the basil under the DS condition. This study suggests that the combination of eCO2 during DS positively impacts basil’s photosynthetic parameters and biochemical traits than aCO2.



HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 576d-576
Author(s):  
Ellen T. Paparozzi

Fertilizer particularly nitrogen is part of the concern about groundwater contamination. Many floricultural and ornamental plants do not need the high rates of nitrogen that are typically recommended. However, whenever one alters the quantity of a given nutrient the overall nutrient balance, as well as other physiological processes, changes. A brief overview of our research on poinsettias, roses, and chrysanthemums will be presented. Suggested ratios, critical S levels and nutrient problems associated with incorrect balances will be shared. Limitations due to statistical methods and the impact nutrient balance has on certain plant processes such as flowering and coloring and thus, consumer acceptance will be summarized. Future plans in this area may focus on the need for new statistical techniques, nutrient acquisition by roots and consumer perceptions of plant quality.



Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Jun-Lan Xiao ◽  
Feng Zeng ◽  
Qiu-Lan He ◽  
Yu-Xia Yao ◽  
Xiao Han ◽  
...  

Forests play a pivotal role in mitigating global warming as an important carbon sink. Recent global greening trends reflect a positive influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 on terrestrial carbon uptake. However, increasingly frequent and intense drought events endanger the carbon sequestration function of forests. This review integrates previous studies across scales to identify potential global trends in forest responses to drought and elevated CO2 as well as to identify data needs in this important research field. The inconsistent responses of ecosystem respiration to drought contributes to the change of forest net CO2 exchange, which depends on the balance of opposite effects of warming and water stress on respiration. Whether CO2 fertilization can offset the effects of drought remains controversial, however, we found a potential overestimation of global CO2 fertilization effects because of increasing water stress and other limitations such as light and nutrients (N, P) as well as the possibility of photosynthetic acclimation.



1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Schortemeyer ◽  
Owen K. Atkin ◽  
Nola McFarlane ◽  
John R. Evans

The interactive effects of nitrate supply and atmospheric CO2 concentration on growth, N2 fixation, dry matter and nitrogen partitioning in the leguminous tree Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. were studied. Seedlings were grown hydroponically in controlled-environment cabinets for 5 weeks at seven 15N-labelled nitrate levels, ranging from 3 to 6400 mmol m–3. Plants were exposed to ambient (~350 µmol mol–1) or elevated (~700 µmol mol–1) atmospheric CO2 for 6 weeks. Total plant dry mass increased strongly with nitrate supply. The proportion of nitrogen derived from air decreased with increasing nitrate supply. Plants grown under either ambient or elevated CO2 fixed the same amount of nitrogen per unit nodule dry mass (16.6 mmol N per g nodule dry mass) regardless of the nitrogen treatment. CO2 concentration had no effect on the relative contribution of N2 fixation to the nitrogen yield of plants. Plants grown with ≥50 mmol m–3 N and elevated CO2 had approximately twice the dry mass of those grown with ambient CO2 after 42 days. The rates of net CO2 assimilation under growth conditions were higher per unit leaf area for plants grown under elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 also decreased specific foliage area, due to an increase in foliage thickness and density. Dry matter partitioning between plant organs was affected by ontogeny and nitrogen status of the plants, but not by CO2 concentration. In contrast, plants grown under elevated CO2 partitioned more of their nitrogen to roots. This could be attributed to reduced nitrogen concentrations in foliage grown under elevated CO2.



2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2222-2246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Oglesby ◽  
Monica Y. Stephens ◽  
Barry Saltzman

Abstract A coupled mixed layer–atmospheric general circulation model has been used to evaluate the impact of ocean thermocline temperatures (and by proxy those of the deep ocean) on the surface climate of the earth. Particular attention has been devoted to temperature regimes both warmer and cooler than at present. The mixed layer ocean model (MLOM) simulates vertical dynamics and thermodynamics in the upper ocean, including wind mixing and buoyancy effects, and has been coupled to the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM3). Simulations were made with globally uniform thermocline warmings of +2°, +5°, and +10°C, as well as a globally uniform cooling of −5°C. A simulation was made with latitudinally varying changes in thermocline temperature such that the warming at mid- and high latitudes is much larger than at low latitudes. In all simulations, the response of surface temperature over both land and ocean was larger than that expected just as a result of the imposed thermocline temperature change, largely because of water vapor feedbacks. In this respect, the simulations were similar to those in which only changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide were imposed. In fact, when carbon dioxide was explicitly changed along with thermocline temperatures, the results were not much different than if only the thermocline temperatures were altered. Land versus ocean differences are explained largely by latent heat flux differences: the ocean is an infinite evaporative source, while land can be quite dry. The latitudinally varying case has a much larger response at mid- to high latitudes than at low latitudes; the high latitudes actually appear to effectively warm the low latitudes. Simulations exploring scenarios of glacial inception suggest that the deep ocean alone is not likely to be a key trigger but must operate in conjunction with other forcings, such as reduced carbon dioxide. Moist upland regions at mid- and high latitudes, and land regions adjacent to perennial sea ice, are the preferred locations for glacial inception in these runs. Finally, the model combination equilibrates very rapidly, meaning that a large number of simulations can be made for a fairly modest computational cost. A drawback to this is greatly reduced sensitivity to parameters such as atmospheric carbon dioxide, which requires a full response of the ocean. Thus, this approach can be considered intermediate between fixing, or prescribing, sea surface temperatures and a fully coupled modeling approach.



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