ADVERTISEMENT
Friday, February 3, 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Involve Africa
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
Involve Africa
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Technology

first experiment in African conditions

Involve Africa by Involve Africa
May 15, 2022
in Technology
0
first experiment in African conditions
585
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
https://web.facebook.com/involveafricanews?_rdc=1&https://twitter.com/involveafricanews


Global maize production is worth billions of dollars annually and is key to global food security because it’s a staple food for billions of people. Most maize production relies on natural rainfall, making it vulnerable to changing rainfall patterns.

This limitation is likely to intensify in the future because climate change is predicted to lead to lower rainfall in many regions. This could decrease yields by 10% by the time global temperatures have increased by 4°C. Droughts are also predicted to become more frequent and severe.

Higher temperatures are also predicted for many parts of the world and will have direct effects on maize growth and productivity. Warming will also lead to more evaporation, which means that plants lose more water.

But it is difficult to predict the effects of a changing climate on crop yields. That’s because the effects of rainfall and temperature can interact in complex ways. Rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere, which is a result of industrialisation, only adds to the uncertainty. However, as our new research conducted in South Africa shows, it may offset some of the impacts of drying and warming on maize crops in tropical growing regions like those found in much of Africa.

Why CO₂ matters

CO₂ is an important resource for photosynthesis and its low availability in the atmosphere has been a major limiting factor to plant growth for millennia. This has led some plant groups, particularly grasses, to evolve a photosynthetic pathway that concentrates CO₂ and makes photosynthesis more efficient under low CO₂.

Maize also has this pathway, known as C4 photosynthesis. Under warm and humid conditions, its growth is thus not limited by CO₂ availability and so it gains no direct benefit from increasing atmospheric CO₂. However, elevated CO₂ allows plants to take up enough CO₂ while keeping their leaf pores (stomata) partially closed. This decreases plant water loss and could potentially increase the drought tolerance of maize.

Research has been done in Europe and the US to ascertain how elevated CO₂ might indirectly increase the productivity of C4 plants like maize. These studies found that elevated CO₂ generally had a positive effect on maize growth and compensated for water limitation and warming. However, temperatures and water stress are much higher in most of Africa and other tropical regions than in Europe and the US, raising the question of whether elevated CO₂ can help overcome reduced rainfall under these much more challenging conditions.

We set out to address this knowledge gap. Through a series of experiments conducted in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, we found that future atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are likely to benefit maize production in tropical growing regions like those found in many parts of Africa. This may extend the future land area available to rainfed maize cultivation by making maize production more water use efficient.

However, while CO₂ can prolong soil water availability and slow down the effect of drought on photosynthesis, it cannot compensate for a lack of rainfall entirely. Rainfall seasonality thus still plays an important role in determining where maize can be grown. With more data from tropical growing regions, our ability to predict this will increase.

A series of experiments

Experiments are required to predict the interacting effects of increased drought and increased CO₂ on maize yields; these studies allow scientists to manipulate each of these factors, singly and in combination. While manipulating water is fairly straightforward, experimenting with atmospheric CO₂ requires specialised and costly facilities. It is therefore not surprising that the leading experiments on the effects of temperature, water and CO₂ have been done under temperate conditions in the northern hemisphere, where research resources are concentrated.

In 2018, Rhodes University in South Africa launched Africa’s first large-scale elevated CO₂ plant research facility. Here, in special open-top chambers, we exposed six different maize cultivars bred for South African climates to drought and watering treatments under ambient and elevated CO₂, and at elevated temperatures.

Plants were grown over the summer season and were either irrigated daily or left to grow with only the little rainfall that fell naturally. The study area has too little summer rainfall to be a viable maize growing region; this allowed us to simulate the effects of drought under hot and dry summer conditions.

To examine the effect of atmospheric CO₂, we compared current conditions of 400 parts per million (ppm) to those predicted to occur towards the end of the 21st century (800 ppm). The air temperature in the open-top chambers was 4-5°C higher than ambient, which is in line with future climate predictions.

Study co-author Tebadi Burgess (née Bopape) holds maize plants that she grew at either current or future atmospheric CO₂ concentrations with and without drought.
Authors supplied

Findings

Under ambient CO₂ and without watering, plants had very low yields. Irrigated plants at elevated CO₂ had nearly four time higher yields.

Adding elevated CO₂ to unwatered plants resulted in the same growth and yield as irrigation at ambient CO₂. This shows that elevated CO₂ had the same effect on plants as daily irrigation and thus completely compensated for drought. When given additional CO₂, plants needed less water, because they could partially close their leaf pores and avoid water loss.

Irrigated maize yields increased with added CO₂. This suggests that even under irrigation, hot and dry weather can cause water stress and reduce productivity.

This research shows that future atmospheric CO₂ concentrations could help alleviate the effects of warming and drought, even for irrigated production. However, more research is needed to determine the effects of intermediate CO₂ concentrations between 400 and 800 ppm, which will be experienced between now and the end of the century. Data on the effects of other variables, such a soil type and severity of climate, are also needed to calibrate realistic models to forecast future maize production.

Tebadi Burgess (nee Bopape), an MSc graduate, co-authored the research on which this article is based.



Source_link

You might also like

Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay with FlySafair for WhatsApp Mobile Payments

Ground Breakers: Billionaire mining boss Robert Friedland calls for end of African discount in epic copper rant

Support for land use planning sees over 2000 women farmers in Tanzania become land owners

Previous Post

21 Best Things To Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Next Post

beyond bitcoin, the arm wrestling between Touadéra and France intensifies

Involve Africa

Involve Africa

Related Posts

Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay with FlySafair for WhatsApp Mobile Payments
Technology

Clickatell Launches Chat 2 Pay with FlySafair for WhatsApp Mobile Payments

by Involve Africa
February 2, 2023
Ground Breakers: Billionaire mining boss Robert Friedland calls for end of African discount in epic copper rant
Technology

Ground Breakers: Billionaire mining boss Robert Friedland calls for end of African discount in epic copper rant

by Involve Africa
February 2, 2023
Support for land use planning sees over 2000 women farmers in Tanzania become land owners
Technology

Support for land use planning sees over 2000 women farmers in Tanzania become land owners

by Involve Africa
February 1, 2023
African Development Bank provides funding for Diamniadio Digital Technology Park
Technology

African Development Bank provides funding for Diamniadio Digital Technology Park

by Involve Africa
February 1, 2023
This AWS-powered startup gives Rwandan cancer patients better access to life-saving treatments
Technology

This AWS-powered startup gives Rwandan cancer patients better access to life-saving treatments

by Involve Africa
February 1, 2023
Next Post
beyond bitcoin, the arm wrestling between Touadéra and France intensifies

beyond bitcoin, the arm wrestling between Touadéra and France intensifies

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Africa’s growing digital economy creating jobs – Report

Africa’s growing digital economy creating jobs – Report

August 16, 2022
Love Of Travel: Stories From Our Experts

Love Of Travel: Stories From Our Experts

July 8, 2022

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Don't miss it

AFRICA NEWS ROOM • Afrique, Société : Le Sénégal et le poids économiques des confréries
News Videos

AFRICA NEWS ROOM • Afrique, Société : Le Sénégal et le poids économiques des confréries

February 2, 2023
Wireless Logic named a Leader in 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide
Business & Economy

Wireless Logic named a Leader in 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

February 2, 2023
Deliver I Bonds Bought as a Gift in TreasuryDirect
Finance

Deliver I Bonds Bought as a Gift in TreasuryDirect

February 2, 2023
The road back home | FAO
Food & Agriculture

The road back home | FAO

February 2, 2023
7 South African travelogues you should read
Arts

7 South African travelogues you should read

February 2, 2023
Kyiv keeps its friends close, but will they send the latest warplanes?
Politics

Kyiv keeps its friends close, but will they send the latest warplanes?

February 2, 2023

Social Bar

Welcome to involve Africa The goal of involve Africa is to give you the absolute best news sources for any topic! Our topics are carefully curated and constantly updated as we know the web moves fast so we try to as well.

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Recent News

AFRICA NEWS ROOM • Afrique, Société : Le Sénégal et le poids économiques des confréries

AFRICA NEWS ROOM • Afrique, Société : Le Sénégal et le poids économiques des confréries

February 2, 2023
Wireless Logic named a Leader in 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

Wireless Logic named a Leader in 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Managed IoT Connectivity Services, Worldwide

February 2, 2023

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT