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Growing wheat in Biosphere 2 under elevated CO2: observations and modelingSpring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Yecora Rojo) was grown in the intensive agricultural biome (IAB) of Biosphere 2 during the l995-l996 winter/spring season. Environmental conditions were characterized by a day/night temperature regime of 27/17 degrees C, relative humidity (RH) levels around 45%, mean atmospheric CO2 concentration of 450 ppmv, and natural light conditions with mean intensities about half of outside levels. Weekly samples of above-ground plant matter were collected throughout the growing season and phenological events recorded. A computer model, CERES-Wheat, previously tested under both field and controlled conditions, was used to simulate the observed crop growth and to help in data analysis. We found that CERES-Wheat simulated the data collected at Biosphere 2 to within 10% of observed, thus suggesting that wheat growth inside the IAB was comparable to that documented in other environments. The model predicts phenological stages and final dry matter (DM) production within l0% of the observed data. Measured DM production rates, normalized for light absorbed by the crop. suggested photosynthetic efficiencies intermediate between those observed under optimal field conditions and those recorded in NASA-Controlled Ecological Life-Support Systems (CELSS). We suggest that such a difference can be explained primarily in terms of low light levels inside the IAB, with additional effects due to elevated CO2 concentrations and diffuse light fractions.
Document ID
20040089037
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Tubiello, F. N.
(NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies New York NY United States)
Mahato, T.
Morton, T.
Druitt, J. W.
Volk, T.
Marino, B. D.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Ecological engineering
Volume: 13
ISSN: 0925-8574
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Life Support Systems

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