Dynamics of CO2 and H2O fluxes in Johnson grass in the U.S. Southern Great Plains.

Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) is rapidly spreading throughout the continental United States (U.S.). Thus, determining magnitudes and seasonal dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO 2) and water vapor (H 2 O) fluxes in Johnson grass is crucial to understand regional changes in hydrology and carbon balance. Using eddy covariance (EC), CO 2 and H 2 O fluxes were measured from June 2017 to October 2019 over a rainfed Johnson grass field in central Oklahoma. Hay was harvested from late May to early July each year, with biomass yield ~7.5 t ha−1. Weekly averaged daily integrated net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), and evapotranspiration (ET) reached −8.28 ± 0.76 g C m−2, 20.02 ± 1.62 g C m−2, and 5.42 ± 0.26 mm, respectively. Ecosystem water use efficiency (EWUE) and ecosystem light use efficiency (ELUE) ranged from 3.22 to 3.93 g C mm−1 ET and 0.34 to 0.41 g C mol−1 PAR (photosynthetically active radiation), respectively, during peak growths. Based on aggregated fluxes for each month over the three years (2017–2019), cumulative annual NEE was −434 ± 112 g C m−2, indicating a carbon gain by the Johnson grass field. Cumulative annual ET (858 ± 72 mm) was ~86% of the average annual rainfall (996 ± 100 mm). Results showed Johnson grass could be a carbon sink from May to September in the U.S. Southern Great Plains. Both NEE and ET did not decline up to air temperature (T a) of ~33 °C and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) of ~2 kPa, suggesting optimum T a of ≥33 °C and VPD of ≥2 kPa for the fluxes. Results indicated that Johnson grass might be well suited for dryland production in the region. Additionally, these findings provide initial baseline information on CO 2 fluxes and ET for Johnson grass relative to other forage species in the region. Unlabelled Image • First work to thoroughly study dynamics of CO 2 and H 2 O fluxes in Johnson grass. • Johnson grass harvested for hay showed large carbon uptake potential at annual scales. • Johnson grass could be a carbon sink in the southern plains during May–Sept period. • CO 2 uptake did not decrease up to air temperature of ~33 °C. • Cumulative annual ET (858 ± 72 mm) was ~86% of the average annual rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]