Field Studies of Sweet Potatoes and Cowpeas in Response to Elevated Carbon Dioxide. Progress Report

摘要

The physiological and biochemical effects of enriched CO sub 2 on sweet potatoes and cowpeas were studied in open top chambers. The main task was to assemble equipment to generate test atmospheres of CO sub 2 in the field, using open top chambers as the basic exposure unit for studying the response of sweet potatoes and cowpeas to enriched CO sub 2 . Plant responses to CO sub 2 in open top chambers have been demonstrated by several investigators in a variety of crops. This study focused on growth and development of both sweet potatoes and cowpeas at levels of CO sub 2 ranging from the ambient level of 354 ppM to 659 ppM. The effects of CO sub 2 on leaf and stem weights, stem length, leaf area, and stomatal number and conductance were studied on both species. Additional studies on sweet potatoes included the effects of CO sub 2 on the weight, chemical content and quality of tubers. Additional studies on cowpeas included the effects of CO sub 2 on the weight of seeds and rate of nitrogen fixation. 27 figs., 35 tabs. (ERA citation 10:040266)