The Effect of Elevated [CO₂] on Uptake and Allocation of ¹³C and ¹⁵N in Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) during Leafing

Abstract:

A continuous dual ¹³CO₂ and ¹⁵NH₄ ¹⁵NO₃ labelling experiment was undertaken to determine the effects of ambient (350 ìmol mol⁻¹) or elevated (700 ìmol mol⁻¹) atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on C and N uptake and allocation within 3-year-old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) during leafing. After six weeks of growth, total carbon uptake was increased by 63 % (calculated on total C content) under elevated CO₂ but the carbon partitioning was not altered. 56 % of the new carbon was found in the leaves. On a dry weight basis was the content of structural biomass in leaves 10 % lower and the lignin content remained unaffected under elevated as compared to ambient [CO₂]. Under ambient [CO₂] 37 %, and under elevated [CO₂] 51 %, of the lignin C of the leaves derived from new assimilates. For both treatments, internal N pools provided more than 90 % of the nitrogen used for leaf-growth and the partitioning of nitrogen was not altered under elevated [CO₂]. The C/N ratio was unaffected by elevated [CO₂] at the whole plant level, but the C/N ratio of the new C and N uptake was increased by 32 % under elevated [CO₂].

Abbreviations:

PDB: PeeDee Belemnite RSA: relative specific allocation R/S ratio: root/shoot ratio

Fagus sylvatica - elevated CO₂ - root respiration - nutrient cycling - lignin - structural biomass - stable isotope

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