Carbon Dioxide Fertilization

Energy Relationship of Photosynthesis and Respiration Carbohydrate Respiration Photosynthesis CO + H O 2 2 2 O 1_2 LOW HIGH Energy 2H + 2H + 2 O 1_2

C 3 - Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide and Plants Atmospheric CO 2 is the source of all carbon accumulation in plants C3 plants benefit significantly from increased CO 2 concentration in the greenhouse. Carbon Dioxide Fertilization is common practice in many ornamental and food crop commercial greenhouse operations

Atmospheric CO 2 is the source of all carbon accumulation in plants

C3 plants benefit significantly from increased CO 2 concentration in the greenhouse.

Carbon Dioxide Fertilization is common practice in many ornamental and food crop commercial greenhouse operations

Effect of CO 2 Shifts the activity of RUBISCO in favor of the carboxylation reaction On average yields should increase by 33% with a doubling of CO 2 That average based on entire plant life cycle, but increases in growth result in juvenile and mature tissues when CO 2 levels are increased.

Shifts the activity of RUBISCO in favor of the carboxylation reaction

On average yields should increase by 33% with a doubling of CO 2

That average based on entire plant life cycle, but increases in growth result in juvenile and mature tissues when CO 2 levels are increased.

Carbon Dioxide Fertilization Normally present at about 300 ppm During daylight hours CO 2 may be rapidly depleted during crop production Depletion may be exacerbated during winter production when there is less ventilation

Normally present at about 300 ppm

During daylight hours CO 2 may be rapidly depleted during crop production

Depletion may be exacerbated during winter production when there is less ventilation

CO 2 Greenhouse Levels 1,000 ppm or more have shown to increase tomato yields economically However, you must adjust based on plant maturity and environmental conditions Bright, sunny weather 1000 ppm Cloudy weather 750 ppm Young plants 700 ppm During moderate ventilation 350-400 ppm Less needed as temperature and ventilation rates increase

1,000 ppm or more have shown to increase tomato yields economically

However, you must adjust based on plant maturity and environmental conditions

Bright, sunny weather 1000 ppm

Cloudy weather 750 ppm

Young plants 700 ppm

During moderate ventilation 350-400 ppm

Less needed as temperature and ventilation rates increase

Producing CO 2 for Commercial Greenhouse Production Natural Gas Propane Flue gases from hot water boiler Compressed CO 2

Natural Gas

Propane

Flue gases from hot water boiler

Compressed CO 2

Other Impacts Increased sugars (fruit crops) Reduced acid:sugar ratio (fruit crops) Taste improvement noticeable by consumers (fruit crops) Improved growth rates (fruit and ornamental) Shorter times to flowering for certain ornamental crops.

Increased sugars (fruit crops)

Reduced acid:sugar ratio (fruit crops)

Taste improvement noticeable by consumers (fruit crops)

Improved growth rates (fruit and ornamental)

Shorter times to flowering for certain ornamental crops.

Impacts on Sustainable Design Heat and carbon dioxide are also released as part of the composting process Pilot tested at the New Alchemy Institute in Massachusetts. Potential for these system exists, but rare on a commercial scale.

Heat and carbon dioxide are also released as part of the composting process

Pilot tested at the New Alchemy Institute in Massachusetts.

Potential for these system exists, but rare on a commercial scale.

Good Sources of Information http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/gtp_pages/co2.html Trembley and Gosselin. 1998. Effect of carbon dioxide and light. HortTechnology. 8(4). http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/NWREC/tomatogh.htm http://www.ejpau.media.pl/series/volume4/issue2/horticulture/art-03.html http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/ghveg.html

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/gtp_pages/co2.html

Trembley and Gosselin. 1998. Effect of carbon dioxide and light. HortTechnology. 8(4).

http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/NWREC/tomatogh.htm

http://www.ejpau.media.pl/series/volume4/issue2/horticulture/art-03.html

http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/ghveg.html