Elevated CO2 and temperature effect on growth and physiology of Chenopodium album L.

Abstract

A study was conducted in open top chambers (OTCs) to understand the effect of elevated temperature (ambient+2±0.5oC) and elevated CO2 (550±50 ppm) individually and in combination on Chenopodium album. Impact of the climate variables was studied in terms of selected plant attributes, viz., leaf area, RGR etc. Study showed that elevated temperature as well as elevated CO2 individually and in combination had significant positive effect on growth and development, rate of photosynthesis, and water use efficiency of the Chenopodium album. Rate of transpiration and stomatal conductance increased marginally in plants grown at elevated temperature, but a marked decrease was evident at elevated CO2 individually and in combination with elevated temperature as compared that in plants grown in ambient conditions in the Chenopodium album. No significant changes were observed in relative water content and relative stress injury under any of the Chenopodium album. Treatments changes were evident with respect to the activity of antioxidant enzymes and nitrate reductase and peptide banding pattern using SDS-PAGE. This research was conducted to examine the joint effects of increased temperature and elevated CO2 level onChenopodium album (C3 weed). Results from this experiment suggested that rising (CO2) could alter physiochemical response for growth and development of Chenopodium album and it is well defined competitors with different crops in current changing climate conditions.