Elevated atmospheric [CO2] can dramatically increase wheat yields in semi-arid environments and buffer against heat waves
Article
Article Title | Elevated atmospheric [CO2] can dramatically increase wheat yields in semi-arid environments and buffer against heat waves |
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ERA Journal ID | 3258 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Fitzgerald, Glenn J. (Author), Tausz, Michael (Author), O'Leary, Garry (Author), Mollah, Mahabubur R. (Author), Tausz-Posch, Sabine (Author), Seneweera, Saman (Author), Mock, Ivan (Author), Low, Markus (Author), Partington, Debra L. (Author), McNeil, David (Author) and Norton, Robert M. (Author) |
Journal Title | Global Change Biology |
Journal Citation | 22 (6), pp. 2269-2284 |
Number of Pages | 16 |
Year | 2016 |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 1354-1013 |
1365-2486 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13263 |
Web Address (URL) | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.13263/abstract;jsessionid=E58784E92E000485943820547D0CFC92.f02t03 |
Abstract | Wheat production will be impacted by increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2 [CO2], which is expected to rise from about 400 μmol mol−1 in 2015 to 550 μmol mol−1 by 2050. Changes to plant physiology and crop responses from elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]) are well documented for some environments, but field-level responses in dryland Mediterranean environments with terminal drought and heat waves are scarce. The Australian Grains Free Air CO2 Enrichment facility was established to compare wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and yield under ambient (~370 μmol−1 in 2007) and e[CO2] (550 μmol−1) in semi-arid environments. Experiments were undertaken at two dryland sites (Horsham and Walpeup) across three years with two cultivars, two sowing times and two irrigation treatments. Mean yield stimulation due to e[CO2] was 24% at Horsham and 53% at Walpeup, with some treatment responses greater than 70%, depending on environment. Under supplemental irrigation, e[CO2] stimulated yields at Horsham by 37% compared to 13% under rainfed conditions, showing that water limited growth and yield response to e[CO2]. Heat wave effects were ameliorated under e[CO2] as shown by reductions of 31% and 54% in screenings and 10% and 12% larger kernels (Horsham and Walpeup). Greatest yield stimulations occurred in the e[CO2] late sowing and heat stressed treatments, when supplied with more water. There were no clear differences in cultivar response due to e[CO2]. Multiple regression showed that yield response to e[CO2] depended on temperatures and water availability before and after anthesis. Thus, timing of temperature and water and the crop's ability to translocate carbohydrates to the grain postanthesis were all important in determining the e[CO2] response. The large responses to e[CO2] under dryland conditions have not been previously reported and underscore the need for field level research to provide mechanistic understanding for adapting crops to a changing climate. |
Keywords | Australian grains free air CO2 enrichment; dryland; elevated CO2; free air CO2 enrichment; heat wave; wheat; yield |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410102. Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation |
Public Notes | Open access http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.13263/abstract |
Byline Affiliations | Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Victoria |
University of Melbourne | |
Centre for Crop Health | |
University of Tasmania | |
International Plant Nutrition Institute, Australia | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3653/elevated-atmospheric-co2-can-dramatically-increase-wheat-yields-in-semi-arid-environments-and-buffer-against-heat-waves
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