Principal Investigator/Project Leader:
Sponsoring Unit(s):
Department of Project:
Microbiology Dept.
Project Description:
There is uncertainty about the effects of future climate on agricultural crop plants. Alfalfa is a crop that is used to provide feed for animals leading to meat production. This research will include experiments under controlled conditions that will allow prediction of how alfalfa plants will respond to future elevated CO2 (800ppm) and elevated ozone (O3) (80ppb). How these elevations affect plant growth and the nutritional value of the plants will be determined. Alfalfa varieties may vary in their responses so it may be possible to find varieties that are better suited to future climate or to alert plant breeders to the need to provide varieties that will be suited to future climate.
