Wurr, D. C. E., Edmondson, R. N. and Fellows, J. R. (Jane R.) (2000) Climate change : a response surface study of the effects of CO2 and temperature on the growth of French beans. Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol.13 (No.4). pp. 379-387. doi:10.1017/S0021859699008308

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Abstract

The possible impact of global rises in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature on the growth and development of French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) was examined using growth cabinets. Five CO2 concentrations of 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 vpm and five temperatures of 14·5, 15·5, 16·5, 17·5 and 18·5°C were tested using a fractional factorial design comprising nine treatment combinations of the two factors. Plants were grown under constant irradiance, common atmospheric humidities (vpd 0·5 kPa) and non-limiting supplies of water and mineral nutrients. The plant growth response was modelled by fitting polynomial response function curves to the times to first flower opening, first bean set, 50% maturity and the number and yield of beans. The effects of temperature were large and positive for most of the measured variables, whereas the effects of CO2 were small and negative or non-existent. Increased temperature substantially reduced the time to flowering and the time from bean set to 50% maturity and increased the number and yield of mature beans whereas increased CO2 concentration had little effect on plant growth except that bean yield was very slightly reduced. There was no significant evidence of interaction between the CO2 concentration effects and the temperature effects.

The time to maturity and yield of mature beans was simulated for the 2020s (2010 to 2039) and the 2050s (2040 to 2069) using the fitted polynomial models and four climate change scenarios suggested by the UK Climate Impacts Programme. These simulations showed that, depending upon the assumed scenario, the 2020s yields could rise by 39–84% and time to maturity reduce by between 6 and 15 days whereas the 2050s yields could rise by 51–118% and time to maturity reduce by between 9 and 25 days.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) > Warwick HRI (2004-2010)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Common bean, Climatic changes, Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects, Plants -- Effect of carbon dioxide on, Plants -- Effect of temperature on
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Agricultural Science
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	0021-8596
Official Date:	December 2000
Dates:	Date Event December 2000 Published
Volume:	Vol.13
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 379-387
DOI:	10.1017/S0021859699008308
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Great Britain. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF)

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