Germination of CO₂-enriched Pinus taeda L. seeds and subsequent seedling growth responses to CO₂ enrichment

Abstract

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, [CO₂], has profound effects on growth and development of trees. Adoubling of [C0₂] generally stimulates photosynthesis (Murray 1995; Saxe, Ellsworth & Heath 1998) and can lead to a substantial increase in tree growth (Poorter 1993). For example, doubling [C0₂] increased the rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area (A) of Pinus taeda by 14-146% (Ellsworth 1999; Liu & Teskey 1995; Thomas, Lewis & Strain 1994; Tissue et al. 1996; Tissue et al. 1997), and increased relative growth by 40-233% (DeLucia et al. 1999; Sionit et al. 1985; Thomas et al. 1994), we suggest that in very young seedlings, elevated [C0₂] effects may interact with internal factors such as seed N or C reserves. Thus internal and external factors that regulate growth atthe seedling stage may act acooectively to regulate subsequent seedling growth (Corbineau & Come 1995).

Citation

Hussain, M.; Kubiske, M. E. ; Connor, K. F. 2001. Germination of CO₂-enriched Pinus taeda L. seeds and subsequent seedling growth responses to CO₂ enrichment. Functional ecology. Vol. 15 (2001).:p. 344-350 : ill.