Response of Natural Turves of Pasture to Elevated Carbon Dioxide in a Controlled Environment

Large natural turves from a ryegrass-white clover (Lolium pernne, trifolium repens) pasture were exposed to increasing day/nighl temperatures at 350 and 700 µVI CO2 over a 7•month period. Growth rate al the highest temperature (22/16°C day/night) was IS% higher at the elevated CO2 level; at lower temperatures the response to CO2 was reduced or even negative (-6% at 10/4°C). The growth rate of ryegrass was much lower at elevated CO2 while that of white clover and other grasses was increased. These results are compared with previous studies using synthetic communities, and the limited response to CO2 is noted and discussed.