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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318208
Title: Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and N fertilization on bahiagrass pastures in the Southeastern U.S.

Author
item Prior, Stephen - Steve
item Runion, George
item Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2015
Publication Date: 11/15/2015
Citation: Prior, S.A., Runion, G.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2015. Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and N fertilization on bahiagrass pastures in the Southeastern U.S. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on pasture systems remain understudied in the Southeastern US. A 10-year study of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) response to elevated CO2 was established in 2005 using open top field chambers on a Blanton loamy sand (loamy siliceous, thermic, Grossarenic Paleudults). Plants were subjected to ambient or elevated (ambient plus 200 ppm) CO2. After a year establishment period, N was applied to half of the plots ([(NH4)2SO4] at 90 kg ha-1 3x yr-1) while the remaining plots received no N fertilization. These two treatments represent managed and unmanaged pastures, both of which are common in the Southeast. During the course of the study biomass production was assessed at all harvests (3 per yr). Prior to N treatment initiation, biomass production was unaffected by CO2. Likewise, this pattern remained over the course of the study in plots receiving no N fertilization. In general, biomass production was increased under high CO2 with N addition; this response was typical of C4 plants (~15%). In addition to biomass production, treatment effects on tissue C and N will be discussed. Overall, data show that elevated CO2 can increase biomass productivity with N fertilization.