Abstract
Atmospheric CO2 levels have been increasing since the industrial revolution. There are many questions about the impacts of elevated CO2 levels and how the subsequent rise in average global temperature will ultimately impact the planet. One change that many climate scientists are confident about is a global redistribution of precipitation. This study specifically addressed the coupled effects of elevated CO2 and drought stress for two species, radish, Raphanus sativus, and winter wheat, Triticum hybernum. To understand how future climate changes might affect plants, radish and winter wheat were grown in simulated conditions of elevated CO2 at 400 and 800 ppm. After reaching maturity, each species was subjected to water stress. The radish did not exhibit much of an increase in biomass in response to elevated CO2. Both radish treatments exhibited an expected decrease in wet biomass in response to drought. In contrast, the winter wheat exhibited a decline in water content over the experimental period but dry biomass increased throughout the drought. The winter wheat results were consistent across both treatments.
Recommended Citation
Hertel, Alex
(2012)
"Effects of CO2 Enrichment on Biomass Yield and Response to Drought In Radish and Winter Wheat,"
DePaul Discoveries: Volume 1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://via.library.depaul.edu/depaul-disc/vol1/iss1/9