IMPACT OF CARBON DIOXIDE ENRICHMENT ON PLANT PRODUCTION IN AN ACCLIMATRON PROPAGATION SYSTEM

Not Available The AcclimatronTM plant propagation technology patented by Clemson University minimizes the shock of transfer of plant tissue cultures from heterotrophic growth in the laboratory to photoautotrophic growth in natural sunlight. Southern Son Propagation Systems, Inc. (SoSun) has acquired exclusive license from Clemson University to manufacture AcclimatronTM Systems and to market them by specific plant genera to licensed growers. Under support of a SBIR Phase I grant, SoSun and Clemson University have established that plant growth in the AcclimatronTM System is enhanced by CO2 enrichment. Since the enclosed AcclimatronTM atmosphere is temperature-maintained even during high daytime temperatures, plant units, called CU-StartsTM, inside the AcclimatronTM receive the benefit of CO2 enrichment conditions resulted in dry matter accumulations for Hosta ?Newberry' Gold up to twice that of plants grown under ambient CO2 levels. An interactive effect of CO2 level with natural sunlight levels was observed. For optimal utilization of the AcclimatronTM, the next steps for research and development include efforts (1) to quantify the interactive effects of CO2 with variability of natural sunlight, (2) to design a more user-friendly, CO2- enriched AcclimatronTM, and (3) to test additional, economically attractive plant genera.