Original video: https://youtu.be/e-2vEBoQrmM
Explore a groundbreaking approach to rice cultivation with sustainable CO2 enrichment using yeast fermentation! In this study, we investigated how exposing rice seedlings to elevated CO2 (eCO2) during early growth stages impacts their photosynthesis, physiology, and yield at maturity.
Controlled environment systems such as glasshouses regularly utilise elevated CO2 (eCO2) to boost yield and quality in the production of high-value crops. Increasing CO2 levels improves photosynthesis capacity, resulting in higher yield and plant performance. Although this approach is relatively standard in commercial horticulture, its implementation on major crops such as rice is technically not feasible, especially elevating CO2 field-wide for the entire life cycle. During the early stage of rice plant development, the structure of the leaf is sensitive to environmental factors, including responses to CO2 levels. In this project, we investigated the response of rice seedlings exposed to eCO2 only during the early phase before field transplant could have a prolonged impact well into the harvest period.
The study aims included
(ii) To understand the effects of eCO2 treatment on rice seedling growth, photosynthetic performance and leaf microstructural properties
(ii) To study the effects of early-stage eCO2 treatment on rice physiology, photosynthetic performance and yield component at the maturity stage.
This experiment used two local rice varieties, namely MR219 and MR263. Rice plants were grown in a two-stages procedure. First, seedlings were grown in DIY ambient (aCO2) and elevated CO2 chambers for four weeks and then transplanted to a rain shelter structure where the plants were grown to harvest. The eCO2 source came from the fermentation of a mixture of sugar, distilled water, and baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) granules.
📍 Key Highlights:
eCO2 in Agriculture: Discover how eCO2 improves photosynthetic performance, boosts growth, and enhances yield.
Innovative CO2 Source: Learn about using a sustainable yeast fermentation system with sugar, distilled water, and baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to elevate CO2 levels.
Two-Stage Rice Cultivation: Seedlings were grown in DIY ambient (aCO2) and eCO2 chambers for four weeks before being transplanted into a rain shelter structure for maturity.
Local Rice Varieties Studied: Includes MR219 and MR263, two widely grown rice varieties in Malaysia.
By leveraging a simple and eco-friendly CO2 source, this research offers a promising pathway for sustainable rice farming and better resource utilisation in controlled environments.
💡 Why Watch/Read This?
Gain insights into the potential of eCO2 in boosting major crop productivity.
Understand the innovative use of DIY CO2 chambers and their scalability in agriculture.
Learn how early-stage treatments can have long-lasting effects on crop yield and quality.
🌾 Join us in exploring the future of sustainable agriculture and its impact on global food security!
Read our publication:
Sloan, J.M., Mujab, A.A.M., Mashitah, J. et al. Elevated CO2 Priming as a Sustainable Approach to Increasing Rice Tiller Number and Yield Potential. Rice 16, 16 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12284-023-00629-0
Keywords: Rice yield, CO2 enrichment, yeast fermentation, sustainable agriculture, photosynthesis, seedling growth, leaf microstructure, rice varieties.
Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 - Creative Commons
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