Ecotypic responses of switchgrass to altered precipitation
Jeffrey C. Hartman A C , Jesse B. Nippert A and Clint J. Springer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 116 Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
B Department of Biology, St. Josephs University, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: jhartman@huskers.unl.edu
Functional Plant Biology 39(2) 126-136 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP11229
Submitted: 12 October 2011 Accepted: 30 December 2011 Published: 9 February 2012
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is projected to alter precipitation patterns, resulting in novel environments for plants. The responses of dominant plant species (e.g. Panicum virgatum L. (switchgrass)) to climate changes can drive broader ecosystem processes such as primary productivity. Using a rainfall mesocosm facility, three ecotypes of P. virgatum (collected from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, USA) were subjected to three precipitation regimes (average, –25%, +25%) to determine the physiological and growth responses to altered precipitation in a common garden setting. Results showed mean maximum photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, transpiration, midday water potential and dark-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence were lowest in the Kansas ecotypes. Increased precipitation treatments raised the mean midday water potentials and lowered water-use efficiency. Aboveground biomass responded positively to changes in precipitation, but flowering initiation was later and rates were lower for Texas ecotypes. In general, ecotype origin was a better predictor of differences in physiological responses and flowering, whereas the precipitation treatments had greater control over biomass production. Depending on the growth variable measured, these results show responses for P. virgatum are under varying ecotypic or environmental control with few interactions, suggesting that future predictions to climate change need not inherently consider localised adaptations in this economically important and widely distributed species.
Additional keywords: aboveground biomass, chlorophyll fluorescence, climate change, ecotype, gas exchange, Panicum virgatum.
References
Albert KR, Mikkelsen TN, Michelsen A, Ro-Poulsen H, van der Linden L (2011) Interactive effects of drought, elevated CO2 and warming on photosynthetic capacity and photosystem performance in temperate heath plants. Journal of Plant Physiology 168, 1550–1561.| Interactive effects of drought, elevated CO2 and warming on photosynthetic capacity and photosystem performance in temperate heath plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXotVeiur8%3D&md5=8a63100010521f8508ecf2c3a6c43debCAS |
Alexopoulou E, Sharma N, Papatheohari Y, Christou M, Piscioneri I, Panoutsou D, Pignatelli V (2008) Biomass yields for upland and lowland switchgrass varieties grown in the Mediterranean region. Biomass and Bioenergy 32, 926–933.
| Biomass yields for upland and lowland switchgrass varieties grown in the Mediterranean region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Alley RB, Berntsen T, Bindoff NL, Chen Z, Chidthaisong A, et al (2007) He physical science basis, summary for policy makers.’ (IPCC Secretariat: Geneva)
Barney JN, Mann JJ, Kyser GB, Blumwald B, Deynze AV, DiTomaso JM (2009) Tolerance of switchgrass to extreme soil moisture stress: ecological implications. Plant Science 177, 724–732.
| Tolerance of switchgrass to extreme soil moisture stress: ecological implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXht1OrurnI&md5=a678a68b3d309bb9df67e919520845d2CAS |
Benedict HM (1940) Effect of day length and temperature on the flowering and growth of four species of grasses. Journal of Agricultural Research 61, 661–671.
Berdahl JD, Frank AB, Krupinsky JM, Carr PM, Hanson JD, Johnson HA (2005) Biomass yield, phenology, and survival of diverse switchgrass cultivars and experimental strains in western North Dakota. Agronomy Journal 97, 549–555.
| Biomass yield, phenology, and survival of diverse switchgrass cultivars and experimental strains in western North Dakota.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berg CC (1971) Forage yield of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in Pennsylvania. Agronomy Journal 63, 785–786.
| Forage yield of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in Pennsylvania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boe A, Beck DL (2008) Yield components of biomass in switchgrass. Crop Science 48, 1306–1311.
| Yield components of biomass in switchgrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Callaway RM, Pennings SC, Richards CL (2003) Phenotypic plasticity and interactions among plants. Ecology 84, 1115–1128.
| Phenotypic plasticity and interactions among plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Casler MD (2005) Ecotypic variation among switchgrass populations from the northern USA. Crop Science 45, 388–398.
| Ecotypic variation among switchgrass populations from the northern USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Casler MD, Vogel KP, Taliaferro CM, Wynia RL (2004) Latitudinal adaptation of switchgrass populations. Crop Science 44, 293–303.
Casler MD, Vogel KP, Taliaferro CM, Ehlke NJ, Berdahl JD, Brummer EC, Kallenbach RL, West CP, Mitchell RB (2007) Latitudinal and longitudinal adaptation of switchgrass populations. Crop Science 47, 2249–2260.
| Latitudinal and longitudinal adaptation of switchgrass populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Christensen JH, Hewitson B, Busuioc A, Chen A, Gao X, Held I, Jones R, Kolli RK, Kwon WT, Laprise R, Magaña Rueda V, Mearns L, Menéndez CG, Räisänen J, Rinke A, Sarr A (2007) Regional climate projections. In ‘Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds S Solomon, D Qin, M Manning, Z Chen, M Marquis, KB Averyt, M Tignor, HL Miller). pp. 887–892. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK)
Das MK, Fuentes RG, Taliaferro CM (2004) Genetic variability and trait relationships in switchgrass. Crop Science 44, 443–448.
Easterling DR, Meehl GA, Parmesan C, Changnon SA, Karl TR, Mearns LO (2000) Climate extremes: observations, modeling, and impacts. Science 289, 2068–2074.
| Climate extremes: observations, modeling, and impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmvVCms7g%3D&md5=8b6cff2e6a87c2604251a1eba0e246f7CAS |
Emery SM, Gross KL (2007) Dominant species identity, not community evenness, regulates invasion in experimental grassland communities. Ecology 88, 954–964.
| Dominant species identity, not community evenness, regulates invasion in experimental grassland communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Evers GW, Parsons MJ (2003) Soil type and moisture level influence on Alamo switchgrass emergence and seedling growth. Crop Science 43, 288–294.
| Soil type and moisture level influence on Alamo switchgrass emergence and seedling growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fay PA, Carlisle JD, Knapp AK, Blair JM, Collins SL (2003) Productivity responses to altered rainfall patterns in a C4-dominated grassland. Oecologia 137, 245–251.
| Productivity responses to altered rainfall patterns in a C4-dominated grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fay PA, Kaufman DM, Nippert JB, Carlisle JD, Harper CW (2008) Changes in grassland ecosystem function due to extreme rainfall events: implications for responses to climate change. Global Change Biology 14, 1600–1608.
| Changes in grassland ecosystem function due to extreme rainfall events: implications for responses to climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fay PA, Blair JM, Smith MD, Nippert JB, Carlisle JD, Knapp AK (2011) Relative effects of precipitation variability and warming on tallgrass prairie ecosystem function. Biogeosciences 8, 3053–3068.
| Relative effects of precipitation variability and warming on tallgrass prairie ecosystem function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grime JP (1998) Benefits of plant diversity to ecosystems: immediate, filter and founder effects. Journal of Ecology 86, 902–910.
| Benefits of plant diversity to ecosystems: immediate, filter and founder effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hartman JC, Nippert JB, Orozco RA, Springer CJ (2011) Potential ecological impacts of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biofuel cultivation in the Central Great Plains, USA. Biomass and Bioenergy 35, 3415–3421.
| Potential ecological impacts of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biofuel cultivation in the Central Great Plains, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heaton E, Voigt T, Long SP (2004) A quantitative review comparing the yields of two candidate C4 perennial biomass crops in relation to nitrogen, temperature, and water. Biomass and Bioenergy 27, 21–30.
| A quantitative review comparing the yields of two candidate C4 perennial biomass crops in relation to nitrogen, temperature, and water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hillebrand H, Bennett DM, Cadotte MW (2008) Consequences of dominance: a review of evenness effects on local and regional ecosystem processes. Ecology 89, 1510–1520.
| Consequences of dominance: a review of evenness effects on local and regional ecosystem processes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hughes AR, Inouye BD, Johnson MTJ, Underwood N, Vellend M (2008) Ecological consequences of genetic diversity. Ecology Letters 11, 609–623.
| Ecological consequences of genetic diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jump AS, Peñuelas J (2005) Running to stand still: adaptation and response of plants to rapid climate change. Ecology Letters 8, 1010–1020.
| Running to stand still: adaptation and response of plants to rapid climate change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knapp AK (1984) Water relations and growth of three grasses during wet and drought years in a tallgrass prairie. Oecologia 65, 35–43.
| Water relations and growth of three grasses during wet and drought years in a tallgrass prairie.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knapp AK (1985) Effect of fire and drought on the ecophysiology of Andropogon gerardii and Panicum virgatum in a tallgrass prairie. Ecology 66, 1309–1320.
| Effect of fire and drought on the ecophysiology of Andropogon gerardii and Panicum virgatum in a tallgrass prairie.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Knapp AK, Briggs JM, Hartnett DC, Collins SC (1998) ‘Grassland dynamics: long-term ecological research in tallgrass prairie.’ (Oxford University Press: New York)
Knapp AK, Fay PA, Blair JM, Collins SL, Smith MD, Carlisle JD, Harper CW, Danner BT, Lett MS, McCarron JK (2002) Rainfall variability, carbon cycling, and plant species diversity in mesic grassland. Science 298, 2202–2205.
| Rainfall variability, carbon cycling, and plant species diversity in mesic grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XpsVSktLg%3D&md5=0e6514b1c8cde96353eae4011c640510CAS |
Krause GH, Weis E (1991) Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: the basics. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology 42, 313–349.
| Chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis: the basics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXltFSmsrc%3D&md5=bb1327b1c17836b25635c665a5def268CAS |
Lemus R, Brummer EC, Moore KJ, Molstad ME, Burras CE, Barker MF (2002) Biomass yield and quality of 20 switchgrass populations in southern Iowa, USA. Biomass and Bioenergy 23, 433–442.
| Biomass yield and quality of 20 switchgrass populations in southern Iowa, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XotVyrtrk%3D&md5=edb36a2772445b59e4cdba8f720bc3f0CAS |
Manzoni S, Vico G, Katul G, Fay PA, Polley W, Palmroth S, Porporato A (2011) Optimizing stomatal conductance for maximum carbon gain under water stress: a meta-analysis across plant functional types and climates. Functional Ecology 25, 456–467.
| Optimizing stomatal conductance for maximum carbon gain under water stress: a meta-analysis across plant functional types and climates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maxwell K, Johnson GN (2000) Chlorophyll fluorescence – a practical guide. Journal of Experimental Botany 51, 659–668.
| Chlorophyll fluorescence – a practical guide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjtF2js74%3D&md5=1d462336648d2570f11ecf0f6e979e31CAS |
McAllister CA, Knapp AK, Maragni LA (1998) Is leaf-level photosynthesis related to plant success in a highly productive grassland? Oecologia 117, 40–46.
| Is leaf-level photosynthesis related to plant success in a highly productive grassland?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLaughlin SB, Kszos LN (2005) Development of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a bioenergy feedstock in the United States. Biomass and Bioenergy 28, 515–535.
| Development of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a bioenergy feedstock in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McMillan C (1965) Ecotypic differentiation within four North American prairie grasses. II. Behavioral variation within transplanted community fractions. American Journal of Botany 52, 55–65.
| Ecotypic differentiation within four North American prairie grasses. II. Behavioral variation within transplanted community fractions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McNaughton SJ, Wolf LL (1970) Dominance and the niche in ecological systems. Science 167, 131–139.
| Dominance and the niche in ecological systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE3c%2FmtFKmtg%3D%3D&md5=d5fe63b796edd59ff339a3fa849ec6c5CAS |
Meehl GA, Arblaster JM, Tebaldi C (2005) Understanding future patterns of increased precipitation intensity in climate model simulations. Geophysical Research Letters 32, L18719
| Understanding future patterns of increased precipitation intensity in climate model simulations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Muir JP, Sanderson MA, Ocumpaugh WR, Jones RM, Reed RL (2001) Biomass production of ‘Alamo’ switchgrass in response to nitrogen, phosphorus, and row spacing. Agronomy Journal 93, 896–901.
| Biomass production of ‘Alamo’ switchgrass in response to nitrogen, phosphorus, and row spacing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Newell LC (1968) Effects of strain source and management practice on forage yields of two warm-season prairie grasses. Crop Science 8, 205–210.
| Effects of strain source and management practice on forage yields of two warm-season prairie grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nippert JB, Knapp AK, Briggs JM (2006) Intra-annual rainfall variability and grassland productivity: can the past predict the future? Plant Ecology 184, 65–74.
| Intra-annual rainfall variability and grassland productivity: can the past predict the future?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nippert JB, Fay PA, Knapp AK (2007) Photosynthetic traits in C3 and C4 grassland species in mesocosm and field environments. Environmental and Experimental Botany 60, 412–420.
| Photosynthetic traits in C3 and C4 grassland species in mesocosm and field environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXntFyhtb4%3D&md5=9e565b8f74f24da56cf7bfddfe6a5ae4CAS |
Nippert JB, Fay PA, Carlisle JD, Knapp AK, Smith MD (2009) Ecophysiological responses of two dominant grasses to altered temperature and precipitation regimes. Acta Oecologica 35, 400–408.
| Ecophysiological responses of two dominant grasses to altered temperature and precipitation regimes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Norberg J, Swaney DP, Dushoff J, Lin J, Casagrandi R, Levin SA (2001) Phenotypic diversity and ecosystem functioning in changing environments: a theoretical framework. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 98, 11376–11381.
| Phenotypic diversity and ecosystem functioning in changing environments: a theoretical framework.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXnt1yqtbk%3D&md5=124f0396bd19888c43af53f32d841947CAS |
Parrish DJ, Fike JH (2005) The biology and agronomy of switchgrass for biofuels. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 24, 423–459.
| The biology and agronomy of switchgrass for biofuels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Polley HW, Norman JM, Arkebauer TJ, Walter-Shea EA, Greegor DH, Bramer B (1992) Leaf gas exchange of Andropogon gerardii Vitman, Panicum virgatum L., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in a tallgrass prairie. Journal of Geophysical Research 97, 18 837–18 844.
Quinn JA (1969) Variability among High Plains populations of Panicum virgatum. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 96, 20–41.
| Variability among High Plains populations of Panicum virgatum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Resco V, Ignance DD, Sun W, Huxman TE, Weltzin JF, Williams DG (2008) Chlorophyll fluorescence, predawn water potential and photosynthesis in pulse-drive ecosystems – implications for ecological studies. Functional Ecology 22, 479–483.
| Chlorophyll fluorescence, predawn water potential and photosynthesis in pulse-drive ecosystems – implications for ecological studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanderson MA (1992) Morphological development of switchgrass and kleingrass. Agronomy Journal 84, 415–419.
| Morphological development of switchgrass and kleingrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanderson MA, Reed RL (2000) Switchgrass growth and development: water, nitrogen, and plant density effects. Journal of Range Management 53, 221–227.
| Switchgrass growth and development: water, nitrogen, and plant density effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanderson MA, Wolf DD (1995) Morphological development of switchgrass in diverse environments. Agronomy Journal 87, 908–915.
| Morphological development of switchgrass in diverse environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schlichting CD (1989) Phenotypic integration and environmental change. Bioscience 39, 460–464.
| Phenotypic integration and environmental change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Silletti AM, Knapp AK (2001) Responses of the codominant grassland species Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans to long-term manipulations of nitrogen and water. American Midland Naturalist 145, 159–167.
| Responses of the codominant grassland species Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans to long-term manipulations of nitrogen and water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith MD, Knapp AK (2003) Dominant species maintain ecosystem function with non-random species loss. Ecology Letters 6, 509–517.
| Dominant species maintain ecosystem function with non-random species loss.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1995) ‘Biometry: the principles and practices of statistics in biological research, 3rd edn.’ (W.H. Freeman: New York)
Stout WL (1992) Water-use efficiency of grasses as affected by soil, nitrogen, and temperature. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56, 897–902.
| Water-use efficiency of grasses as affected by soil, nitrogen, and temperature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stout WL, Jung GA, Shaffer JA (1988) Effects of soil and nitrogen on water use efficiency of tall fescue and switchgrass under humid conditions. Soil Science Society of America Journal 52, 429–434.
| Effects of soil and nitrogen on water use efficiency of tall fescue and switchgrass under humid conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stroup JA, Sanderson MA, Muir JP, McFarland MJ, Reed RL (2003) Comparison of growth and performance in upland and lowland switchgrass types to water and nitrogen stress. Bioresource Technology 86, 65–72.
| Comparison of growth and performance in upland and lowland switchgrass types to water and nitrogen stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XntVGmurg%3D&md5=5109b0ebaae70ef3920535e501932216CAS |
Taylor SH, Ripley BS, Woodward FI, Osborne CP (2011) Drought limitation of photosynthesis differs between C3 and C4 grass species in a comparative experiment. Plant, Cell & Environment 34, 65–75.
| Drought limitation of photosynthesis differs between C3 and C4 grass species in a comparative experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXht1Gnurk%3D&md5=6808456a8aade5b605fe007e65758af0CAS |
Tucker SS, Craine JM, Nippert JB (2011) Physiological drought tolerance and the structuring of tallgrass prairie assemblages. Ecosphere 2, 1–19.
| Physiological drought tolerance and the structuring of tallgrass prairie assemblages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Esbroeck GA, Hussey MA, Sanderson MA (1997) Leaf appearance rate and final leaf number of switchgrass cultivars. Crop Science 37, 864–870.
| Leaf appearance rate and final leaf number of switchgrass cultivars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Van Esbroeck GA, Hussey MA, Sanderson MA (2003) Variation between Alamo and Cave-in- Rock switchgrass in response to photoperiod extension. Crop Science 43, 639–643.
Wang D, LeBauer DS, Dietze MC (2010) A quantitative review comparing the yield of switchgrass in monocultures and mixtures in relation to climate and management factors. GCB Bioenergy 2, 16–25.
| A quantitative review comparing the yield of switchgrass in monocultures and mixtures in relation to climate and management factors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ward JK, Kelly JK (2004) Scaling up evolutionary responses to CO2: lessons from Arabidopsis. Ecology Letters 7, 427–440.
| Scaling up evolutionary responses to CO2: lessons from Arabidopsis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wullschleger SD, Sanderson MA, McLaughlin SB, Biradar DP, Rayburn AL (1996) Photosynthetic rates and ploidy levels among populations of switchgrass. Crop Science 36, 306–312.
| Photosynthetic rates and ploidy levels among populations of switchgrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhou X, Talley M, Luo Y (2009) Biomass, litter, and soil respiration along a precipitation gradient in southern Great Plains, USA. Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.) 12, 1369–1380.
| Biomass, litter, and soil respiration along a precipitation gradient in southern Great Plains, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFyku7rM&md5=f54b43be9a038992733cfd0793d5c406CAS |
