Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Elevated Co2 Levels On Broad Bean, Vicia Faba, Growth/Defense Tradeoffs, Harley B. Kitching

Honors College Theses

Atmospheric changes, associated with global climate change, are increasing at an unprecedented rate. Plants generally display higher rates of growth in response to elevated CO₂ levels, but this response varies among species. In addition, very little is known about how plant growth/defense tradeoffs will be altered by increasing CO₂ levels. By raising Broad bean, Vicia faba L., plants under ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (900 ppm) levels of CO₂, it was shown that atmospheric composition directly altered plant growth/defense tradeoffs. Plants grown under elevated CO₂ had lighter stem weights but greater numbers of extrafloral nectaries …