The phenology of perennial ryegrass and its potential contribution to grassland carbon sequestration

People: Carl Fisk, Rainer Melzer, Hannah White, Charilaos Yiotis, Jon Yearsley

@IrishPhenology

Project Description

In the face of climate change and under growing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, phenology - the timing of developmental events in a plant life cycle - is strongly dependent on environmental and genetic conditions. Phenological events will change if temperatures increase, and this poses largely uncharacterized challenges and opportunities for Irish ecosystems.

 

This project aims to evaluate the significance of variations in the phenology of perennial ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass is economically and ecologically the most important species of improved grasslands in Ireland. These grasslands are important carbon sinks and thus the phenological response to climate can be an important factor underpinning any reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

 

We will combine remote sensing, the analysis of historical data, and experimental measurements under current and future climatic conditions to obtain a holistic view of the phenology of perennial ryegrass. Using this data, modelling will be employed to determine the phenological response of different perennial ryegrass varieties to changing climatic conditions.

We will use this information to identify perennial ryegrass varieties that are best suited as carbon sinks in a changing environment.

Outreach

Publications

1. Frisk C.A., Xistris-Songpanya G., Osborne M., Biswas Y., Melzer R., Yearsley J.M. (2022) Phenotypic Variation from Waterlogging in Multiple Perennial Ryegrass Varieties under Climate Change Conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science, BioRxiv Preprint. 1-33. DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.07.483244
2. Frisk C.A., Xistris-Songpanya G., Osborne M, Biswas Y., Melzer R., Yearsley J.M. Phenotypic Variation from Waterlogging in Multiple Perennial Ryegrass Varieties under Climate Change Conditions. Frontiers in Plant Science, DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.954478 (in press)

Code from the project is available on github

Partners

• University College Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• Teagasc

Related Links

• Ireland's National Phenology Network
• Phenology (Met Eireann)
• International Phenology Gardens (Europe)
• Futu-rye Research Project

Funding

This project is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.It is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the statutory function of co-ordinating and promoting environmental research.

DISCLAIMER: Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this webpage, complete accuracy cannotbe guaranteed. Neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the authors accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting or refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this webpage.