ARS | Publication request: QUANTIFICATION OF PATTERNS OF BIOMASS PRODUCTION OF EASTERN GAMAGRASS GROWN IN SUNLIT GROWTH CHAMBERS

Submitted to: Eastern Native Grass Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2006
Publication Date: October 11, 2006
Citation: Ritchie, J.C., Gitz, D.C., Krizek, D.T., Gitz, D., Reddy, V.R. 2006. Patterns of growth of eastern gamagrass grown in sunlit growth chambers. In: Proceedings of the Fifth Eastern Native Grass Symposium, October 10-13, 2006, Madison, Wisconsin. p. 34-41.

Interpretive Summary: Eastern gamagrass plants grown in Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Research (SPAR) chambers showed patterns of biomass production that were related to their position in the chamber. The patterns of biomass production in these chambers were similar to the patterns for Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) measurements made in these same chambers with greatest biomass values for eastern gamagrass obtained in locations where PAR measurements were also greatest. SPAR chambers are excellent tools for studying plant growth and physiological responses but that researchers should recognize that there may be positional effects within such chambers. SPAR chambers provide an excellent facility for studying plant growth and physiological responses when used correctly.

Technical Abstract: Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] was grown in six Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research (SPAR) sunlit controlled-environment chambers (2.5 x 2.2 x 1.4 m, 16 plants per chamber) at two levels of carbon dioxide (370 and 740 micromols per mol) and three temperature regimes (20/14, 27.5/21.5, and 35/29 C day/night) for 21 weeks (16 May to 10 October). Leaves (shoots > 10 cm tall) were harvested at 8, 16, and 21 weeks and roots and crowns (shoots 0 to 10 cm tall) were also harvested at 21 weeks for each individual plant. Individual eastern gamagrass plants grown in SPAR chambers showed patterns of biomass production that were related to their position in the chamber. The patterns of biomass production in these chambers were similar to the patterns for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurements made in these chambers. While SPAR chambers provide an excellent growth facility for studying physiological and morphological responses, researchers should recognize that there may be significant positional effects within such chambers.