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Atmospheric CO 2 enrichment alters energy assimilation, investment and allocation in Xanthium strumarium
Author(s) -
Nagel Jennifer M.,
Wang Xianzhong,
Lewis James D.,
Fung Howard A.,
Tissue David T.,
Griffin Kevin L.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01341.x
Subject(s) - assimilation (phonology) , xanthium , environmental science , data assimilation , atmospheric pollution , atmospheric sciences , biology , meteorology , chemistry , botany , ecology , geography , physics , pollution , philosophy , linguistics
Summary• Energy‐use efficiency and energy assimilation, investment and allocation patterns are likely to influence plant growth responses to increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]). Here, we describe the influence of elevated [CO 2 ] on energetic properties as a mechanism of growth responses in Xanthium strumarium . • Individuals of X. strumarium were grown at ambient or elevated [CO 2 ] and harvested. Total biomass and energetic construction costs (CC) of leaves, stems, roots and fruits and percentage of total biomass and energy allocated to these components were determined. Photosynthetic energy‐use efficiency (PEUE) was calculated as the ratio of total energy gained via photosynthetic activity ( A total ) to leaf CC. • Elevated [CO 2 ] increased leaf A total , but decreased CC per unit mass of leaves and roots. Consequently, X. strumarium individuals produced more leaf and root biomass at elevated [CO 2 ] without increasing total energy investment in these structures (CC total ). Whole‐plant biomass was associated positively with PEUE. Whole‐plant construction required 16.1% less energy than modeled whole‐plant energy investment had CC not responded to increased [CO 2 ]. • As a physiological mechanism affecting growth, altered energetic properties could positively influence productivity of X. strumarium , and potentially other species, at elevated [CO 2 ].