Selection of rice cultivars for performance under elevated atmospheric CO2 in south east China

Project ID:

CS1/1996/008

Collaborating Countries:

China

Commissioned Organisation:

Australian National University, Australia

Project Leader

Professor Barry Osmond
Phone: 02 6125 3841
Fax: 02 6125 0758
Email: osmond@rsbs_central.anu.edu.au

Collaborating Institutions:

Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Project Budget:

$149,543

Project Duration:

01/07/1996 - 31/12/1997

ACIAR Research Program Manager

Dr Tony Fischer

Project Background and Objectives

Concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere will most likely exceed 500 ppm in the first half of the next century. Consequently, there is a case for the breeding, selection and introduction of new crop varieties to be grown under elevated CO2 conditions. Depending on nutrient and temperature there is the potential for crop plants to be more productive (the CO2-fertiliser effect). However, carbohydrate accumulation in leaves can occur and lower expected growth rates. In addition, there is some evidence for genetic variation among cultivars in growth responses to CO2 concentrations. The aim of this project is to evaluate contemporary rice cultivars and ultimately transgenic rice varieties under elevated atmospheric CO2 in Southeast China.

Project Outcomes

Outcomes for this project are currently being prepared