How Elevated CO<sub>2</sub> Shifts Root Water Uptake Pattern of Crop? Lessons from Climate Chamber Experiments and Isotopic Tracing Technique

oleh: Ying Ma, Yali Wu, Xianfang Song

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-11-01

Deskripsi

Root water uptake plays an important role in water transport and carbon cycle among Groundwater–Soil–Plant–Atmosphere–Continuum. The acclimation of crops under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO<sub>2</sub>) depends greatly on their capability to exploit soil water resources. Quantifying root water uptake and its relationship with crop growth under eCO<sub>2</sub> remains challenging. This study observed maize growth subjected to current CO<sub>2</sub> (400 ppm) and eCO<sub>2</sub> (700 ppm) treatments via a device combined with a climate chamber and weighing lysimeters. Root water uptake patterns were determined based on the isotopic tracing technique. The main water uptake depth shifted from 0−20 cm under current treatment to 20−40 cm under eCO<sub>2</sub> at the seedling growth stage. Maize took up 22.7% and 15.4% more soil water from a main uptake depth of 40−80 cm at jointing and tasseling stages in response to eCO<sub>2</sub>, respectively. More soil water (8.0%) was absorbed from the 80−140 cm layer at the filling stage under eCO<sub>2</sub>. Soil water contributions at the main uptake depth during seedling stage were negatively associated with leaf transpiration rate (<i>T<sub>r</sub></i>), net photosynthetic rate (<i>P<sub>n</sub></i>), and leaf area index (<i>LAI</i>) under both treatments, whereas significant positive correlations in the 40−80 cm layer under current treatment shifted to the 80−140 cm layer by eCO<sub>2</sub>. Deep soil water benefited to improve <i>T<sub>r</sub></i>, <i>P<sub>n</sub></i> and <i>LAI</i> under both treatments. No significant correlation between soil water contributions in each layer and leaf water use efficiency was induced by eCO<sub>2</sub>. This study enhanced our knowledge of crop water use acclimation to future eCO<sub>2</sub> and provides insights into agricultural water management.