Atmospheric CO2 enrichment and the development of frost hardiness in containerized black spruce seedlings

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Abstract
The hypothesis that a relatively brief exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2 could increase the frost resistance of shoots was tested on containerized black spruce seedlings (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Seedlings were exposed to 1000 ppm CO2 toward the end of their second growing season in an unheated production tunnel and in a heated greenhouse. In 1987, continuous 10-week CO2 exposures were applied in conjunction with mineral nutrient fertilization, and freezing tests were conducted each week. In 1988, a series of shorter 2-week CO2 exposures was applied to different groups of seedlings and no mineral nutrients were added. Controlled freezing tests were conducted at −10 °C and were followed by electrolytic conductivity measurements to assess frost injury. Under all experimental conditions, freezing tests on seedlings from both the production tunnel and the greenhouse indicated significantly greater frost damage for the CO2-enriched seedlings than for the controls. Late-growing season CO2 enrichment negatively affected the bud initiation – bud development stage of frost-hardiness development.

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