Potential Climate Change Effects on Rice: Carbon Dioxide and Temperature

Abstract

The projected doubling of current levels of atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentration [CO{sub 2}] during the next century, along with increases in other radiatively active gases, has led to predictions of increases in global air temperature and shifts in precipitation patterns. Since 1987, several [CO{sub 2}] and temperature experiments have been conducted on rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. IR-30) in outdoor, naturally-sunlit, environmentally-controlled, plant growth chambers. The objectives of this chapter are to summarize some of the major findings of these experiments. In these experiments, season-long [CO{sub 2}] treatments ranged from 160 to 900 {micro}mol CO{sub 2} mol{sup {minus}1} air, while temperature treatments ranged from 25/18/21 to 40/33/37 C (daytime dry bulb air temperature/nighttime dry bulb air temperature/constant paddy water temperature). Total growth duration was shortened by 10 to 12 d as [CO{sub 2}] increased across a [CO{sub 2}] range from 160 to 500 {micro}mol mol{sup {minus}1}, due mainly to a shortened vegetative phase of development and a reduction in the number of mainstem leaves formed prior to panicle initiation. Photosynthesis, growth, and final grain yield increased with [CO{sub 2}] from 160 to 500 {micro}mol mol{sup {minus}1}, but were very similar from 500 to 900 {micro}mol mol{sup {minus}1}. Carbon dioxide enrichmentmore » from 330 to 660 {micro}mol mol{sup {minus}1} increased grain yield mainly by increasing the number of panicles per plant, and increasing temperature treatment above 28/21/25 C resulted in decreased grain yield, due largely to a decline in the number of filled grain per panicle. Evapotranspiration decreased and water-use efficiency increased with increasing [CO{sub 2}] treatment, while the reverse trends were found with increasing temperature treatment. 60 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.« less