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Description of Plant Growth Data Tables

Plant growth responses to atmospheric CO2 enrichment are presented in tabular form as in the table below for rice.  Each table begins with an abbreviated reference followed by a brief description of the experimental growing conditions and the percent increase in plant growth due to a 300, 600 or 900 ppm increase in the air's CO2 concentration.  Full reference citations to each experiment can be obtained by clicking on the "Journal References" heading at the top of each table.  If we have produced a Journal Review of the article, its abbreviated reference will contain a link to that review.

In the "Experimental Conditions" column of each table, we provide a brief description of growing conditions, including how the plants were grown, i.e., in pots, growth chambers, open-top chambers, FACE, etc.

In the last three columns of each table we provide the CO2-induced growth response, expressed as the percent increase in either plant biomass or photosynthesis for a 300, 600 or 900 ppm increase in the air's CO2 concentration above ambient conditions.  When the CO2 increase was not exactly 300, 600 or 900 ppm, we have computed a linear adjustment to the nearest 300 ppm interval.  For example, if the CO2 increase was 350 ppm and the growth response was a 60% enhancement, we would calcualte the adjusted 300 ppm CO2 growth response as (300/350) x 60% = 51%.

Percent Dry Weight (Biomass) Increases for 300, 600 and 900 ppm
Increases in the Air's CO2 Concentration:

Oryza sativa L. (Rice)

Journal References

Experimental Conditions
300 ppm

600 ppm

900 ppm
Baker et al. (1990)
vats, growth chambers
78%
53%
 
Baker et al. (1990)
vats, growth chambers
34%
83%
 
Baker et al. (1992)
vats, growth chambers
18%
26%
 
Imai et al. (1985)
pots (12 kg soil)
29%
 
 
Khan and Madsen (1986)
containers (6.1 liters)
16%
29%
 
Morison and Gifford (1984)
pots (3.2 kg soil)
38%
 
 
Teramura et al. (1990)
pots (0.5 liters to 20 liters)
18%
 
 
Ziska and Teramura (1992)
pots (20 liters)
33%
 
 
Ziska and Teramura (1992)
pots (20 liters, 2 plants)
19%