Varietal variation in photosynthesis and transpiration efficiency of sugarcane at elevated atmospheric CO2 and temperature
By ALC De Silva, WAJM De Costa and LDB Suriyagoda
Future rises in atmospheric CO2 and temperature increase the productivity of sugarcane (Allen et al. 2011; Marin et al. 2013). Doubling atmospheric CO2 reduces sugarcane leaf stomatal conductance (gs) while increasing leaf net photosynthesis rate (An) and transpiration efficiency (TE) under well-watered conditions (Vu et al. 2006; De Souza et al. 2008). Effects of elevated temperature (ETem) individually or interactively with elevated CO2 (ECO2) on An and TE of sugarcane have not been well documented. Our objective was to investigate the physiological response of sugarcane to ECO2 and ETem in terms of An and TE for predicting productivity of sugarcane under expected future climate change in Sri Lanka.