Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312224
Title: Elevated atmospheric CO2 effects on cogongrass ecotypes

Author
item Prior, Stephen - Steve
item Runion, George
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item VAN SANTEN, EDZARD - Auburn University

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2014
Publication Date: 2/2/2015
Citation: Prior, S.A., Runion, G.B., Torbert III, H.A., Van Santen, E. 2015. Elevated atmospheric CO2 effects on cogongrass ecotypes. American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting. [https://www.agronomy.org/membership/branches/southern].

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cogongrass is an invasive C4 perennial grass which is listed as one of the top ten worst weeds in the world and is a major problem in the Southeast US. Five cogongrass ecotypes (Florida, Hybrid, Louisiana, Mobile, and North Alabama) collected across the Southeast and a red-leaved ornamental (‘Red Baron’) variety were container grown for six months in open top chambers under ambient and elevated (ambient plus 200 ppm) atmospheric CO2. Elevated CO2 increased average dry weight (10 %) which is typical for grasses. Elevated CO2 increased height growth, carbon content, photosynthesis, and both nitrogen and water use efficiencies, but lowered tissue nitrogen concentration; again, these are typical plant responses to elevated CO2. The hybrid ecotype tended to exhibit the greatest growth (followed by Louisiana, North Alabama, and Florida ecotypes) while ‘Red Baron’ and Mobile ecotypes were smallest. There were few interactions of CO2 with ecotype; when these were significant, the hybrid, Louisiana, Florida, and/or North Alabama ecotypes showed a positive response to CO2 while the Mobile and ‘Red Baron’ ecotypes did not. Cogongrass is a problematic invasive weed in the southeastern U.S. and some ecotypes will likely become more so as atmospheric CO2 continues to rise.