Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Environmental Productivity and Photosynthetic Light Response of Agave americana: A Potential Semi-Arid Biofuel Feedstock

Niechayev, Nicholas Alexander
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2146-1626
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1468518584

Abstract Details

2016, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
The potential for the desert succulent species Agave americana (L.) as an advanced biofuel crop in water limited regions has recently been recognized. However, the potential productivity of A. americana in the United States is not yet fully understood. This study developed an environmental productivity index (EPI) model that can be used to estimate the actual growth of A. americana based on the seasonal patterns of water, temperature, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) on a monthly time scale for any given region. Previously published research was used to construct indices that predict growth responses of A. americana to water and temperature. Light responses, however, have not previously been determined for this species, and this study is the first to experimentally resolve the physiological response of A. americana to varying intensities of PAR. The photosynthetic response to light was determined by measuring gas exchange over 24 hours in plants that were acclimated to varied light levels over 10 days. Results were used to derive a predictive index of the growth response to light. Maximum CO2 fixation rates were observed at a light intensity of 1250 µmol photons m-2 s-1. A monthly EPI was calculated as the product of the water, temperature, and light indices appropriate for the monthly environmental conditions in Maricopa, AZ, where the first trial of A. americana was recently completed. Growth predicted using the EPI was compared to actual production. The summed EPI values were highly correlated (R2 = 0.99) with the average total biomass of healthy 2 and 3 year old plants. Quantitative relationships derived here between environmental conditions and production of A. americana provide a simple tool to estimate and compare potential productivity across regions where this species has not yet been grown, and to determine potential geographic ranges in the future as climate changes.
Sarah Davis, Dr. (Advisor)
David Rosenthal, Dr. (Advisor)
Ahmed Faik, Dr. (Advisor)
48 p.
Agriculture; Agronomy; Alternative Energy; Biochemistry; Biology; Botany; Cellular Biology; Energy; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Horticulture; Plant Biology; Plant Sciences
crassulacean acid metabolism; light response; Li-Cor 6400; environmental productivity index; abiotic responses; agave americana; CAM; arid; semi-arid; bioenergy; climate change; PEPC; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase; scyphophorus acupunctatus; range; GIS

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Niechayev, N. A. (2016). The Environmental Productivity and Photosynthetic Light Response of Agave americana: A Potential Semi-Arid Biofuel Feedstock [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1468518584

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Niechayev, Nicholas. The Environmental Productivity and Photosynthetic Light Response of Agave americana: A Potential Semi-Arid Biofuel Feedstock . 2016. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1468518584.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Niechayev, Nicholas. "The Environmental Productivity and Photosynthetic Light Response of Agave americana: A Potential Semi-Arid Biofuel Feedstock ." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1468518584

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1468518584
299
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.