Silke Boldt Daria Obst
Institute of Biodiversity
Bundesallee 65
38116 Braunschweig
Phone: +49 531 596 2502
Phone: +49 531 596 2503
Fax: +49 531 596 2599
bd@thuenen.de
Field experiments on processes of the interaction of nitrogen fertilisation and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on concentration and composition of grain protein of wheat
As previously published, the rise of the atmospheric CO2 concentration will increase grain yield of wheat, however, grain protein content and thus grain quality will be impaired. This will be a substantial problem for food security, which has to be managed by cultivation and breeding measures.
In order to solve the problem a detailed understanding of the processes is necessary, which will be worked on in this project. The effect of elevated CO2 concentration will be investigated on nitrogen uptake and remobilisation to the grain. It will be tested whether the negative effect of elevated CO2 on grain quality can be prevented by changing the amount or type of nitrogen fertilization.
It is suggested that the reduction of photorespiration under high CO2 causes a decreases of nitrate assimilation. This process and other mechanisms are thought to be responsible for the decrease of grain protein concentration under elevated CO2. The problem may be solved if the plant takes up only ammonium. This will be tested by using different forms of nitrogen fertilizer.
Winter wheat will be grown on the experimental field site of the Thünen-Institute with ambient (ca. 395 ppm) and elevated CO2 concentration (600 ppm)over two years. Nitrogen fertilisation will be an additional treatment factor by using different levels (low, medium, abundant) and types of nitrogen (only ammonium or mixture of nitrate and ammonium).
The investigations comprise
Does CO2 enrichment decrease nitrate reductase activity and thus N assimilation of the whole plant?
Is there an interaction of CO2 enrichment with nitrogen supply, i.e. does the CO2 related effect on grain nitrogen concentration decrease with increasing nitrogen supply and can the negative CO2 effect on grain nitrogen be removed by adding more fertilizer.
Can the negative effect of CO2 enrichment on grain quality be eliminated by feeding the plants with ammonium instead of nitrate?
5.2014 - 2.2019
Projekt type:
Project funding number: MA 1736/5-1
Project status:
finished
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