SELECTION OF INDIGENOUS FOREST TREE SPECIES RESPONDING TO HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) CONCENTRATION
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Date
2017-07-30
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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES GKVK, BENGALURU
Abstract
Rise in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases under global climate
change warrants an urgent need to understand the mechanisms associated with plant
growth and development. Selection of appropriate indigenous forest tree species would
help in sequestering the increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Therefore, the present
study was conducted with two levels of CO2 (ambient 400 ppm and elevated 550 ppm)
and one year old seedlings of indigenous species, namely Syzygium cumini,
Dalbergia latifolia, Eugenia jambolana, Pterocarpus marsupium, Terminalia
catappa, Mamia surgi, Pongamia pinnata and Madhuca latifolia. The leaf area
and leaf dry weights were higher in Eugenia jambolana under CO2 enrichment.
The dry matter production in Syzygium cumini (67.8 g/plant), Terminalia catappa
(54.4 g/plant), Eugenia jambolana (53.9 g/plant) and Pongamia pinnata (52.9
g/plant) were higher at elevated CO2 levels. The root/ shoot ratio was decreased
in all species except the Madhuca with higher CO2 concentration. An increased
NAR was observed in Pongamia pinnata (805.4 mg. dm-2). Photosynthetic rate,
leaf area duration and biomass production were high in Syzygium cumini at
elevated CO2 concentration. In overall, the elevated CO2 resulted in higher water
use efficiency through decreased stomatal conductances with relatively higher
photosynthetic rates. Although, the data on gas exchange traits needs to be
confirmed, based on the growth parameters, Syzygium cumini, Pterocarpus
marsupium, Terminalia catappa, Mamia surgi and Eugenia jambolana found
responsive to elevated CO2. These species can be recommended for afforestation
as these indigenous species possess rapid growth rates and CO2 sequestration.
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