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The effect of high levels of carbon dioxide on dark respiration and growth of plants

1985; Wiley; Volume: 8; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1365-3040.1985.tb01701.x

1365-3040

J Reuveni, J. Gale,

Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols

Abstract Raising ambient levels of CO 2 during the night, between 350 and 950cm 3 m −3 , reduced the dark respiration rate of Medicago sativum seedlings. The percentage effect was greater for maintenance respiration than for dark respiration as a whole, and when the plants were in a low photosynthate status. Twenty‐four h carbon balance studies confirmed a reduction in night time respiration and an increase of net carbon gain when night time [CO 2 ] was high. Growth experiments showed a small but significant increase of dry weight in Medicago sativum seedlings exposed to high [CO 2 ] (∼ 1200 cm 3 m −3 ) at night. This effect was greater for plants grown with Rhizobium nodules than for plants grown with nitrate in the absence of Rhizobium. A similar, but smaller and statistically non‐significant effect of high night time [CO 2 ] on growth was found for Xanthium strumarium seedlings. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the rising CO 2 content of the atmosphere.