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How can we predict the effects of elevated CO 2 on the balance between perennial C 3 grass species competing for light?
Author(s) -
Teyssonneyre F.,
PiconCochard C.,
Soussana J. F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00353.x
Subject(s) - holcus lanatus , lolium perenne , monoculture , festuca rubra , perennial plant , biology , lolium , competition (biology) , festuca arundinacea , agronomy , festuca , poaceae , botany , ecology
Summary• Changes in the balance between mixed plant species have been reported under elevated [CO 2 ] compared with ambient atmospheric [CO 2 ]. We hypothesized that species response to elevated CO 2 in mixture can be explained by taking into account resource partitioning between mixed species. • This hypothesis was tested experimentally on three perennial C 3 grass species ( Lolium perenne , Festuca arundinacea and Holcus lanatus ) grown in monocultures and in binary mixtures ( Lolium–Festuca and Lolium–Holcus ) under mild (frequent cuts) or severe (infrequent cuts) competition for light and at a high N supply (40 g N m −2 ). • Under mild competition for light, the dry matter yield response to elevated CO 2 of the mixed grass species was similar to that observed in monocultures. By contrast, under severe light competition, the grass species that absorbed more light per unit leaf area ( Holcus and Festuca ), also had a greater response to elevated CO 2 in mixture compared with monoculture. • Under our experimental conditions, we have shown that the dry matter yield response to CO 2 in mixture can be predicted from both the species response in monoculture, and the light capture per unit leaf area in ambient CO 2 of the mixed compared with the pure grasses.