Growth Response of a Succulent Plant, Agave vilmoriniana, to Elevated CO2

Abstract

Large (about 200 grams dry weight) and small (about 5 grams dry weight) specimens of the leaf succulent Agave vilmoriniana Berger were grown outdoors at Phoenix, Arizona [USA]. Potted plants were maintained in open-top chamber constructed with clear, plastic wall material. Four CO2 concentrations of 350, 560, 675, and 885 microliters per liter were used during two growth periods and two water treatments. Small and large plants were grown for 6 months, while a few large plants were grown for 1 year. Wet-treatment plants received water twice weekly, whereas dry-treatment plants received slighly more water than they would under natural conditions. Plants growth rates in all treatments were significantly different between small and large specimens, but not between 6 month and 1 year large plants. Only the dry-treatment plants exhibited statistically different growth rates between the CO2 treatments. This productivity response was equivalent to a 28% and 3-fold increase when mathematically interpolated between CO2 concentrations of 300 and 600 microliters per liter for large and small plants, respectively.