Effects of elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations and water stress on field-grown maize

Abstract

Global atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) concentrations are continuing to increase and will probably double during the next century. The effects of such an increase are of global concern. Carbon dioxide-induced climate changes may result in reduced precipitation in major agricultural areas. The potential therefore exists for severe CO{sub 2}-induced water-stress effects on agriculture. This set of studies determined the effects of long-term elevated atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations and severe water stress on biomass production, evapotranspiration, water-use efficiency (WUE), water potential, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, morphology and phenology of maize grown under field conditions. Plants were grown at one of four daytime mean CO{sub 2} concentrations (348, 431, 506 or 656 {mu}LL{sup {minus}1}) in open-top field exposure chambers and at one of two levels of available water (well-watered or 50% of well-watered). This report is organized into 4 chapters followed by appendices. Separate abstracts were prepared for each of the four chapters: (1) biomass production and water-use efficiency, (2) gas exchange and water potential, (3) morphology and phenology, and (4) and elemental analyses. Selected papers have been indexed separately for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database.