Li, C., Zhu, J.,
Zeng, Q.
and Liu, G.
2020
Changes in micro-element
availability in a paddy field
exposed to long-term
atmospheric CO2 enrichment.
Journal of Soils and Sediments
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-020-02601-7.
NOTE:
Li et al. (2020) note that
"plant-soil interactions
in the context of elevated
atmospheric CO2
have received much attention
and micronutrients play
an important role in plant
development and reproduction."
Much remains to be learned
as to how future changes
in atmospheric CO2
may alter micronutrient
availability, and their
concentrations in plant
organs, which can affect
plant growth and yield.
Li et al. examined
the concentrations of
iron (Fe),
manganese (Mn)
and
zinc (Zn)
in rice and the availability
of these micronutrients
within the surrounding soil
under ambient
(370 ppm)
and elevated
(566 ppm)
CO2 concentrations.
SUMMARY:
The four Chinese researchers
conclude that "elevated CO2
still enhanced dry matter production
and accumulation of Fe, Mn, and Zn
in rice after 10 years [of] CO2 treatment."
No management strategy
was needed to supply
these necessary
micronutrients
in order to achieve
the CO2-induced
dry matter
enhancement.
The chart below shows
the content and concentration
of the three studied micronutrients
within the rice grain at harvest.
Iron was slightly lower,
but Mn and Zn were higher
under elevated CO2.
DETAILS:
The experiment
was conducted
at Xiaoji town,
Jiangdu City,
Jiangsu Province,
China,
on a FACE site
that had been
in operation
for 10 years.
CO2 enrichment had been
in operation at the site
for many years,
so the authors felt
any long-term effect
of elevated CO2 on
micronutrient availability
and concentration
would likely be evident.
CO2 enrichment
"stimulated
rice growth
and increased
the dry matter
production."
With respect to
nutrient availability,
"CO2 enrichment
enhanced the input
of soil organic matter
and improved
microbial activity."
The higher microbial activity,
likely increased soil nutrient
mineralization, and supplied
more available nutrients.
The end result was that
"the bio-availability of Fe, Mn,
and Zn in 0-10 cm soil
increased under elevated CO2."
CHART BELOW:
Rice grain
concentration
and content of
Fe, Mn and Zn
at maturity under
ambient (Amb)
and elevated
(FACE)
CO2 conditions.
Data represented
the mean (± SE)
of three replicates.
Same letter indicates
non-significance existed
between Amb and FACE.
