2017/11/27 by D. A. McGranahan, Devan Allen McGranahan, K. A. Yurkonis +1
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Pasture and Agricultural Systems #Plant responses to elevated CO2 #Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
paper · doi:10.1111/gfs.12338
openalex publication_date 2017/11/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/26
Abstract Global climate change is expected to alter carbon dioxide concentration ([CO 2 ]) and water availability, with uncertain impacts on agriculture. Forage quality and quantity in grazing systems are of particular concern because C 3 and C 4 plants respond differently to altered environmental conditions. In a growth chamber, we compared crude protein content, biomass recovery and total crude protein across a set of perennial C 3 and C 4 grasses from the northern U.S. Great Plains under elevated [CO 2 ] and simulated drought. Simulated 95% confidence intervals indicate both C 3 and C 4 grasses increased forage quality and quantity under elevated [CO 2 ]. C 4 grasses were generally resistant to water limitation while forage quality and quantity of C 3 grasses declined under simulated drought. Our results are consistent with literature on forage quantity responses to elevated [CO 2 ] and drought, but forage quality responses contradict expectations. We suggest measuring plant functional traits might better elucidate response mechanisms and ameliorate methodological differences even if traits are not directly applicable to grazing management.