Rising CO2 and pollen production of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), a known allergy-inducing species: implications for public health
- Source:
- Australian journal of plant physiology 2000 v.27 no.10 pp. 893-898
- ISSN:
- 0310-7841
- Subject:
- weight, carbon dioxide, pollination, hypersensitivity, public health, air temperature, allergens, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, flowers, pollen
- Abstract:
- Although environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature are recognized as influencing pollen production, the impact of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on the potential growth and pollen production of hay-fever-inducing plants is unknown. Here we present measurements of growth and pollen production of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) from pre-industrial [CO2] (280 mol mol-1) to current concentrations (370 mol mol-1) to a projected 21st century concentration (600 mol mol-1). We found that exposure to current and elevated [CO2] increased ragweed pollen production by 131 and 320%, respectively, compared to plants grown at pre-industrial [CO2]. The observed stimulations of pollen production from the pre-industrial [CO2] were due to an increase in the number (at 370 mol mol-1) and number and size (at 600 mol mol-1) of floral spikes. Overall, floral weight as a percentage of total plant weight decreased (from 21% to 13%), while investment in pollen increased (from 3.6 to 6%) between 280 and 600 mol mol-1 CO2. Our results suggest that the continuing increase in atmospheric [CO2] could directly influence public health by stimulating the growth and pollen production of allergy-inducing species such as ragweed.
- Agid:
- 14349
- Handle:
- 10113/14349
- https://doi.org/10.1071/PP00032