title: Controls of biomass partitioning between roots and shoots: Atmospheric CO2enrichment and the acquisition and allocation of carbon and nitrogen in wild radish.
abstract: The effects of CO2enrichment on plant growth, carbon and nitrogen acquisition and resource allocation were investigated in order to examine several hypotheses about the mechanisms that govern dry matter partitioning between shoots and roots. Wild radish plants (Raphanus sativus × raphanistrum) were grown for 25 d under three different atmospheric CO2concentrations (200 ppm, 330 ppm and 600 ppm) with a stable hydroponic 150 μmol 1-1nitrate supply. Radish biomass accumulation, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, nitrogen per unit leaf area, and starch and soluble sugar levels in leaves increased with increasing atmospheric CO2concentration, whereas specific leaf area and nitrogen concentration of leaves significantly decreased. Despite substantial changes in radish growth, resource acquisition and resource partitioning, the rate at which leaves accumulated starch over the course of the light period and the partitioning of biomass between roots and shoots were not affected by CO2treatment. This phenomenon was consistent with the hypothesis that root/shoot partitioning is related to the daily rate of starch accumulation by leaves during the photoperiod, but is inconsistent with hypotheses suggesting that root/shoot partitioning is controlled by some aspect of plant C/N balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Celia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Harold A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Mooney
keywords: CO2 enrichment; Nitrogen; Plant growth; Resource partitioning; Root/shoot ratio