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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #335366

Title: Elevated CO2, warmer temperatures and soil water deficit affect plant growth, physiology and water use of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Author
item BROUGHTON, KATIE - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item BANGE, MICHAEL - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item DUURSMA, REMKO - University Of Sydney
item Payton, Paxton
item SMITH, RENEE - University Of Sydney
item TAN, DANIEL - University Of Sydney
item TISSUE, DAVID - University Of Sydney

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/13/2016
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Changes in temperature, atmospheric [CO2] and precipitation under the scenarios of projected climate change present a challenge to crop production, and may have significant impacts on the physiology, growth and yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A glasshouse experiment explored the early growth and physiological responses of cotton to elevated atmospheric [CO2], warmer air temperatures, and soil water deficit. Cotton was grown in a controlled-environment glasshouse at two [CO2] (CA: 400 ppm and CE: 640 ppm) and two temperature treatments (TA: 28/17oC and TE: 32/21oC) where plants were subjected to two cycles of progressive soil water deficit. CE increased both plant water use and water use efficiency (WUEP) at TA, whereas TE increased water use and decreased WUEP regardless of CO2 treatment (Figure 1). Overall, CE and TE increased plant biomass, but also increased whole plant water use (Figure 1). Therefore, CE may provide some positive growth and physiological benefits to cotton at TA if sufficient water is available; however, there may be an increase in the water resources required for the production of cotton in future warmer environments. Subsequent experiments have investigated the response of cotton to atmospheric water deficit, soil water deficit, warmer temperatures, and elevated [CO2] in both the glasshouse and field, and have provided a basis for understanding the potential impact of climate change on cotton production in high input/high yielding systems. The novelty of our research is the combination of highly mechanistic glasshouse studies combined with real-world field studies, using multiple climate factors that generate the most realistic climate combinations to predict cotton response to future environmental conditions.