Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
The effect a 52 day drought had on the die! whole-plant carbon balance of kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) growing in the northern Chihuahuan desert was determined. Whole-plant CO2 inputs (photosynthesis) and outputs (belowground and aboveground respiration) were measured on day 52 of the drought (June 23, 1981) and 2 days following 1.12 cm of precipitation that occurred on June 24, 1981. Although net photosynthesis rates were severely depressed on June 23, a positive whole-plant carbon balance was determined prior to and following the rain. On a whole-plant basis,.002 g C/g DW/day was gained on June 23 and .015 g C/g DW/day on June 26. Respiration of the belowground components (roots plus root crown) was very low (.004 g C/g DW/day) due to the suberized condition of the entire root system. The ability of roots to change from a nonsuberized state to a suberized condition when soil dries reduces the root maintenance cost and, therefore, may enable a plant to maintain a large root biomass during drought.
Citation
Sisson, William B., "Co2 Exchange of the Abovegrass and Belowground Components of Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) During Drought in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 2.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses3/2)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Co2 Exchange of the Abovegrass and Belowground Components of Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) During Drought in the Northern Chihuahuan Desert
Kyoto Japan
The effect a 52 day drought had on the die! whole-plant carbon balance of kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) growing in the northern Chihuahuan desert was determined. Whole-plant CO2 inputs (photosynthesis) and outputs (belowground and aboveground respiration) were measured on day 52 of the drought (June 23, 1981) and 2 days following 1.12 cm of precipitation that occurred on June 24, 1981. Although net photosynthesis rates were severely depressed on June 23, a positive whole-plant carbon balance was determined prior to and following the rain. On a whole-plant basis,.002 g C/g DW/day was gained on June 23 and .015 g C/g DW/day on June 26. Respiration of the belowground components (roots plus root crown) was very low (.004 g C/g DW/day) due to the suberized condition of the entire root system. The ability of roots to change from a nonsuberized state to a suberized condition when soil dries reduces the root maintenance cost and, therefore, may enable a plant to maintain a large root biomass during drought.
