Synergistic Effects of Elevated CO2 and Fertilization on Net CO2 Uptake and Growth of the CAM Plant Hylocereus undatus

Abstract

This study examined the response of the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) vine-cactus fruit crop species Hylocereus undatus to two CO2 regimes [enrichment (1000 μmol·mol−1) vs. ambient control (380 μmol·mol−1)] and to two fertilization regimes [0.5- vs. 0.1-strength Hoagland's solution (designated high and low, respectively)]. CO2 enrichment increased total daily net CO2 uptake, nocturnal acid accumulation, shoot elongation, and total dry mass by 39%, 24%, 14%, and 6% (averaging the two fertilization regimes) versus ambient CO2 treatment, respectively. Plants exposed to high fertilization demonstrated 36%, 21%, 198%, and 79% (averaging the two CO2 regimes) increases versus those receiving the low fertilization regime in total daily net CO2 uptake, nocturnal acid accumulation, stem elongation, and total dry mass, respectively. Plants exposed to high fertilization and elevated CO2 demonstrated 108%, 77%, 264%, and 111% increases versus those receiving the low fertilization regime at the ambient CO2 concentration in total daily net CO2 uptake, nocturnal acid accumulation, stem elongation, and total dry mass, respectively. This response was 25% to 71% higher than the summed effects of the separate responses to each factor, indicating a synergistic effect of elevated CO2 and high fertilization. Thus, it is apparent that H. undatus crops grown under a high-fertilization agromanagement regime may benefit from elevated CO2 to a greater extent than those grown with low fertilization.