Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Increases Yield of Valencia Orange
The response to elevated CO2 of 3-year-old fruiting Valencia orange scions (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) on citrange rootstock (C. sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.) was studied over a 12-month period under controlled environmental conditions. CO2 enrichment to approx. 800 µbar CO2 which com- menced just prior to anthesis shortened the period of fruitlet abscission. Trees enriched to 800 µbar CO2 retained 70% more fruit, which at harvest were not significantly smaller in diameter or lower in fresh weight than fruit from control trees grown at approx. 400 µbar CO2. Fruit from the CO2 enriched trees also did not differ from the controls in soluble solids content, dry weight, seed number or rind thickness. The progression of fruit coloration was more rapid for the CO2 enriched trees.
Dry weight of leaves and branches from the scion portion of the trees and the roots and stem of the rootstock portion did not differ between treatments at time of harvest. Leaf areas were also similar. However, specific leaf dry weight was 25% greater for the CO2 enriched treatment. Changes in dry matter partitioning resulted from the greater fruit yield (58% increase in dry weight) with CO2 enrichment.
Photosynthetic rates observed at intervals over the experimental period were always lower in the CO2 enriched treatment compared to controls when measured at the same partial pressure of CO2. However photosynthetic rates in the CO2 enriched cabinet were always higher because of the increased level of CO2. The extent of this difference between the treatments varied with fruit development and increased from 23% higher photosynthetic rates in the CO2 enriched chamber at the end of flowering to 77% higher rates when fruits were 5 cm in diameter and decreased to 18% higher rates when fruit coloration was well advanced. Flushes of leaves that developed during the experiment also showed similar photo- synthetic responses to CO2 enrichment and their photosynthetic rates declined as fruit matured.
These results indicate that crop yield by fruit trees will increase as global levels of CO2 continue to rise, at least in those species that experience source limitation during fruit development.
More Carbon Dioxide May Help Some Trees Weather Ice Storms August 15, 2006
The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere predicted for later this century may reduce the damage that future ice storms will cause to commercially important loblolly pine trees, according to a new study. Researchers working at a Duke University outdoor test facility found that loblolly pines growing under carbon-dioxide levels mimicking those predicted for the year 2050 -- roughly one and a half times today's levels -- fared somewhat better during and after a major ice storm that hit the area than did loblollies growing under current concentrations of the gas. The results came as a surprise, the researchers said.
Trees are growing faster and could buy time to halt global warming Plants and trees are growing faster because of rising carbon dioxide levels, potentially buying Earth more time to address global warming, according to scientists.
