ARS | Publication request: GROWTH OF EASTERN GAMAGRASS AT TWO LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND THREE TEMPERATURES

Submitted to: Southeastern Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 7, 2001
Publication Date: March 15, 2002
Citation: RITCHIE, J.C., GITZ, D.C., KRIZEK, D.T., REDDY, V. GROWTH OF EASTERN GAMAGRASS AT TWO LEVELS OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND THREE TEMPERATURES. SOUTHEASTERN BIOLOGY. 2002.

Technical Abstract: Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] is a warm season perennial which produces high yields of forage. It tolerates drought, flooding, aluminum toxicity and acid soils. Eastern gamagrass was grown in six Soil Plant Atmosphere Research (SPAR) chambers (0.5 x 2 m, 16 plants per chamber) at two levels of carbon dioxide (370 and 740 umol/mol) and three day/night temperatures (20/14, 27.5/21.5, and 35/29 C) for 20 weeks (mid-May to mid-October 2001). Shoots (tillers taller than 10 cm) were harvested at 10 and 15 weeks and total plant (shoots, crowns, and roots) was harvested at 20 weeks. Biomass of shoots, crowns, and roots increased significantly with increased temperature. Biomass was consistently, but not significantly, higher in chambers with increased carbon dioxide. Biomass allocation differed with treatment with percent roots by weight being highest with high carbon dioxide and low temperature treatment. Percent roots by weight decreased with increasing temperature. Our results suggest little effect on growth for a single growing season at increased carbon dioxide. However, the consistently higher biomass at higher carbon dioxide treatments suggests the potential for cumulative effects over time.