Does greater night-time, rather than constant, warming alter growth of managed pasture under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2?

A. Volder*, E. J. Edwards, J. R. Evans, B. C. Robertson, M. Schortemeyer, R. M. Gifford

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    • This study examined the effects of warming, elevated atmospheric CO2 and cutting regimen on the growth of Phalaris aquatica cv. Holdfast swards. • Six temperature gradient tunnels (TGT) were used to manipulate both air temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentrations (ambient and 750 ppm). Within each tunnel, there were three temperature treatments: no warming, constant warming of +3.0°C and a daytime warming of 2.2°C combined with a night-time warming of 4.0°C and two defoliation frequencies. • Averaged across 20 months of growth, there was a positive effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 (+11%), no effect of either warming treatment and a negative effect of frequent cutting (-19%) on total above ground biomass production. The responses to all treatments, however, were strongly seasonal. • Positive responses to CO2 were statistically significant only in the spring, when plant growth was strongest. No evidence was found that high night-time warming had different effects on plant growth and plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2, than constant warming.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)397-411
    Number of pages15
    JournalNew Phytologist
    Volume162
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2004

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