2025

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Rising CO2, thriving plants: unraveling growth mechanisms and adaptive strategies
(Elsevier, 2025) Ashish Kumar Mishra; Shivani Gupta; Shailza Mishra; Parvati Madheshiya; Gereraj Sen Gupta; Supriya P. Tiwari
The unceasing escalation in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations exerts far-reaching impacts on the plant growth and ecosystem dynamics. This chapter delves into the intricate mechanisms by which elevated CO₂ modulates plant physiology, metabolism, and morphology, highlighting its dual role as a catalyst for growth and a mediator of stress responses. The enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and carbon assimilation under elevated CO₂ drive accelerated biomass accumulation. However, these benefits are frequently offset by the trade-offs in nutrient allocation and compromised stress tolerance. By examining key processes such as photosynthetic pathways, hormonal regulation, source-sink dynamics, and secondary metabolism, this chapter provides an integrative perspective on plant adaptation to elevated CO₂ conditions. Moreover, the interplay between elevated CO₂ and environmental stressors, including nutrient limitations, ozone toxicity, and water scarcity, underscores the complexity of plant-environment interactions in a shifting climate. Advances in experimental methodologies, such as free-air CO₂ enrichment systems and multiomics approaches, have yielded transformative insights into plant responses. Concurrently, predictive modeling serves as a cornerstone for devising sustainable agricultural strategies under future climate scenarios. Despite significant progress, critical knowledge gaps persist, necessitating interdisciplinary research to unravel the multifaceted challenges posed by the rising atmospheric CO₂ and its synergistic interactions with other climatic stressors. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Understanding competition between two invasive woody plants of India under an altered rainfall regime
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2025) Ashish Kumar Mishra; Prakash Rajak; Akhilesh Singh Raghubanshi; Hema N. Singh
Prosopis juliflora and Leucaena leucocephala are notable examples of invasive woody plants that can spread throughout similar habitats in India. However, little is known about how these two species may interact with one another if future rainfall pattern shifts, which is particularly concerning. Recognizing the pivotal role of eco-physiological parameters in deciphering the dynamics of interspecific competition, a study was devised to elucidate the interplay between L. leucocephala and P. juliflora under simulated rainfall conditions. At Botanical Garden, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India, three fixed rainout shelter plots were established, each receiving distinct precipitation levels: low rainfall (LR), normal rainfall (NR), and high rainfall (HR). Within each plot, three replicate subplots were dedicated to pure stands of L. leucocephala (L), pure stands of P. juliflora (P), and mixed stands of the two species (LP). The findings of the study underscore significant variations in soil Inorganic N, N-mineralization, based on precipitation levels, with maximum values observed in HR plot and L. Similarly, biomass, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate exhibited significant variability in response to precipitation treatment, reaching their highest values in HR plot and L. Conversely, root length, root-shoot ratio, and water use efficiency peaked in LR plot and P, presenting a contrasting trend. This study suggests that L. leucocephala may facilitate the growth of P. juliflora by improving the soil's nitrogen availability and, consequently, the eco-physiological characteristics of the plant in mixed plant stands. Furthermore, L. leucocephala is providing P. juliflora with favourable conditions for robust growth under water stress—a scenario indicative of Facilitative approach. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
The soil response in experimental Leucaena leucocephala plots under manipulated rainfall regimes
(Springer, 2025) Ashish Kumar Mishra; Prakash Rajak; Akhilesh Singh Raghubanshi; Hema N. Singh
Leucaena leucocephala, a prominent invasive woody plant in India, is constantly recognised for its capacity to invade in various ecosystems. The chances of invasion by L. leucocephala are increasing due to rainfall variability, to which the plant has already adapted. However, the understanding of L. leucocephala, particularly its response to soil attributes and alterations in nutrient cycling processes under varying rainfall conditions, is currently inadequate. In response to the perceived threat of rainfall shift and invasion impacting native plant species through soil modification, the study was designed to investigate the interplay between L. leucocephala invasion and simulated rainfall conditions. The experimental setup included three rainout shelter plots receiving different precipitation levels (low, normal, and high) and subplots within each plot dedicated to pure stands of L. leucocephala. The study findings reveal significant variations in soil inorganic nitrogen and N-mineralization based on precipitation levels and seasons, with the highest values observed in the high rainfall plot and during the rainy season. In contrast, microbial biomass (carbon and nitrogen) peaked in the low rainfall plot and during the summer season, indicating a contrasting trend. The implications of the study suggest that, in addition to variable rainfall, L. leucocephala may play a significant role in altering nutrient cycling, particularly nitrogen cycling. The plant enhances soil properties related to nitrogen availability, creating opportunities for multiple invasions and potentially leading to a chance of “Invasion Meltdown,” with a significant threat to native biodiversity. Overall, the research is emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics to formulate effective management strategies for preserving native ecosystems. © International Society for Tropical Ecology 2025.

2025

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