Since the early 2000s, a rise in vapor pressure deficit has been observed. Known as atmospheric drying, research from Western University and the University of Minnesota shows that this phenomenon significantly reduces productivity of both crops and non-crops plants, even under well-watered conditions.
Researchers conducted a large-scale analysis which spanned 50 years of research and 112 plant species. Researchers found that in response to atmospheric drying, various plant species including wheat and corn, will anticipate future drought events and “reprogram” themselves. These affected plants will grow smaller, shorter, and more resistant to drought. This behavior also causes plants to perform less photosynthesis and produce less seeds.
Analysis further indicates different species respond to atmospheric drying differently. Different varieties of wheat for example are less responsive than others. This analysis can be used positively to gain understanding of ecosystem resilience to climate change.
“Variation in plants’ sensitivity to atmospheric drying could be used to predict how natural ecosystems will respond to climate change and manage them in ways that increase their resilience to climate change,” said Danielle Way, an Associate Professor at Western’s department of biology.
The research team believe their discoveries can be used to design new crop varieties and manage ecosystems to make them more resilient to atmospheric drying. However more focused research efforts will be required to better understand, predict, and mitigate the effects of atmospheric drying on ecosystems.
“When there is a high vapour pressure deficit, our atmosphere pulls water from other sources: animals, plants, etc.,” said Walid Sadok, an Assistant Professor of agronomy and plant genetics at the University of Minnestoa.”
“An increase in vapour pressure deficit places greater demand on the crop to use more water. In turn, this puts more pressure on farmers to ensure this demand for water is met — either via precipitation or irrigation —so that yields do not decrease.” Sadok continues. “As we race to increase production to feed a bigger population, this is a new hurdle that will need to be cleared. Atmospheric drying could limit yields, even in regions where irrigation or soil moisture is not limiting.”
To read the full paper, please follow this link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.15548