Effects of warming and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on carbon and nitrogen dynamics of two tropical forage species (Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes capitata)

Author(s)

Laís Batista Carmo Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-09-25

Examining board members

Carlos Alberto Martinez y Huaman; Tomas Ferreira Domingues

• Advisor: Carlos Alberto Martinez y Huaman

Abstract

The C and N dynamics may be interpreted as a flow within the ecosystem that encompasses the physiological processes that occur in plants and soil. In this study, we used of a new combined FACE and T-FACE system, to allow plants of Stylosanthes capitata Vogel (C3) and Panicum maximum Jacq. (C4) to be exposed to higher CO2 concentrations and temperatures, respectively. The system named Trop-T-FACE was established at the Ribeirão Preto campus of the University of São Paulo (USP). Two experiments were conducted using this system; the first involved the warming of 2° C in the plant canopy of Stylosanthes capitata Vogel and resulted in an intensification of N short term cycle probably due to greater biological N2 fixation by legumes, plus larger soil respiration rates and reduced rates of soil enzymatic activity. In the second experiment, plants of S. capitata and P. maximum were exposed to 4 treatments: a control (ambient temperature and ambient CO2); eT (ambient CO2 concentration and a canopy temperature of 2 °C greater than the ambient temperature), eC (600 µmol mol-1 CO2 and ambient temperature), and eC + eT (600 µmol mol-1 CO2 and a canopy temperature of 2 °C greater than the ambient temperature). Results from soil respiration indicated an effect of warming on soil respiration by effect of increment in soil temperature. Isotopic analysis showed, from the third day of the experiment, the decay of 13C values in both species in the treatments with elevated CO2 as a result of assimilation of the new C. Whereas 15N showed only positive values in C3, in C4 we found negative and positive values, but both did not indicate a clear pattern among treatments. Enzymatic analyzes revealed no specific changes in C metabolism in the soil, but changes in N metabolism might indicate a direct influence of this nutrient in the potential of the soil to store C. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03439-0 - Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on the dynamics of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in two tropical forage (Panicum maximum and Stylosanthes capitata) cultivated in consortium
• Grantee: Laís Batista Carmo Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master