The effects of carbon dioxide on carnation growth
Date
1961
Authors
Goldsberry, Kenneth L., 1932-, author
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Abstract
In the past five years, much progress has been made in the control of greenhouse environment. With the advent of automation for heating and air conditioning, fertilizer injection systems, automatic watering systems and increased light due to various types of greenhouse construction, near optimum relationships have resulted within the environmental complex and have led to increased production and quality. It is quite possible that further increases in plant growth may be obtained by atmospheric fertilization with carbon dioxide, thus bringing into equipoise the environmental complex. Carbon dioxide is one of the least considered factors in plant growth by most researchers, although some realize it’s very definite importance to the environmental complex. Several investigators have increased the carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere surrounding plants with positive results of increased plant growth. Other investigators have reported no increase in dry matter production from carbon dioxide fertilization. A carbon dioxide analyzing system consisting of a Beckman infrared analyzer and amplifier, a recorder, and a multiple port selector valve was installed in the research greenhouses. It was used to record continuously carbon dioxide concentrations throughout the greenhouse range and help maintain established levels of carbon dioxide in controlled chambers. Carbon dioxide concentrations in carnation and rose greenhouses dropped below 225 ppm on days of cold cloudy weather when there was no ventilation. Ventilating on warmer days increased the carbon dioxide concentration to near that of outside atmospheric levels. Four chambers of polyvinyl plastic were cooled by refrigeration and the air continuously recirculated. Each chamber had a constant temperature of 65° F and an air flow of 130 FPM across the plants during daylight hours. At night the temperature dropped to approximately 52° F when the doors were opened and the recirculating air system turned off. Light levels were dependent upon climatic influences. Carbon dioxide concentrations were controlled as closely as possible during daylight hours at 200, 350, and 550 ppm. Rooted cuttings of the carnation variety Red Gayety were planted in the chambers on May 28, 1960 and grown until the termination date, June 2, 1961. The following responses were observed as carbon dioxide concentrations increased: a. The yields in the 550 ppm were 38 percent and in the 350 ppm, 30 percent more than the yield in the 200 ppm concentration. b. The first and second crops in the 350 and 550 ppm levels flowered 2 weeks ahead of the 200 ppm level. c. The average stem length in the 550 ppm level was 2 inches shorter and in the 350 ppm level, 1 inch shorter than the stems produced in the 200 ppm level. d. Approximately equal fresh and dry weights were produced in all levels. e. The percentage of dry matter increased approximately 0.5 percent in the 350 ppm level and 1 percent in the 550 level over the 200 ppm concentration. f. The second internode decreased and the fifth increased in length as carbon dioxide concentrations increased. g. There were similar amounts of sucrose and fructose in young vegetative shoots harvested in all 3 concentrations. h. Flowers harvested from all 3 carbon dioxide concentrations had a keeping life of approximately 10 days.
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Subject
Carnations
Growth (Plants)
Plants -- Effect of carbon dioxide on