Page 277 - PC2019 Program & Proceedings

PLANT CANADA 2019

P127. Is it possible to predict precipitation with readily available precipitation records?
Schellenberg, M.; H. Cutforth; J. Nimegeers
Swift Current Research and Development Centre)

Drought is predicted to become more common in the future. A tool to provide a quick estimate of the
probability of receiving the monthly normal (30-year mean) precipitation total during the months of the
present growing season would be of value. Precipitation amounts that have occurred in previous years are
readily available. However, this data does not provide any indication of the monthly precipitation totals
that could occur during the remaining months of the growing season. The probability of receiving near
normal precipitation would allow on-site decisions for forage production. Southwest Saskatchewan forage
yields are largely determined by the amount of precipitation received from April to June. Precipitation
records for Swift Current, Saskatchewan were used to calculate the possibility of receiving normal
precipitation for April to June. The probability of receiving the 30-year monthly precipitation normals
during this years growing season can be estimated from the 30-year normals combined with the previous
months precipitation (Mosley 2019). The 30-year normal mean total precipitation for April, May, June is
about 163 mm. This growing season (2019) April, May total precipitation is 21 mm. Knowing the
precipitation for April and May, the probability of receiving precipitation during June 2019 so as to attain
the 30-year median and mean (163 mm) precipitation totals for April to June was calculated as 10% for
both.

Michael Schellenberg (mike.schellenberg@canada.ca)

P128. Exogenous ethylene increases methane emissions from canola
1
Martel, A. ; M. Qaderi 1,2
1 Saint Mary’s University
2
Mount Saint Vincent University
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and its atmospheric concentration has been rising. Both natural and
anthropogenic sources contribute to global methane budget. Methane is formed under both anaerobic and
aerobic conditions. In plants, aerobically produced methane originates from different precursors,
including pectin, lignin, wax and methionine. However, the mechanism of methane production remains
unknown. We investigated the effects of exogenous ethylene on methane and other plant parameters in
canola (Brassica napus L.). Plants were grown under a temperature regime of 22/18°C (16 h light/8 h
dark) at a light intensity of 300 μmol m s , and were exposed to one of three ethylene treatments (36
-1
-2
µmol ml ): no exposure as control, one hour per day, and two hours per day. Plants were grown under the
-1
experimental conditions for 7, 14, or 21 days. Ethylene evolution increased with time and exogenous
ethylene; it was highest from the 14- and 21-day-old plants with 2 h daily exposure and lowest from the
control plants. Exogenous ethylene increased methane emission, which was highest from plants with 2 h
daily exposure and lowest from the 21-day-old control plants. Plant growth, biomass, gas exchange,
chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthetic pigments decreased by exogenous ethylene. Methane and
ethylene were positively correlated, but they were negatively correlated with other parameters. Findings
from this study should lead to the mechanistic understanding of plant-derived methane.

Mirwais Qaderi (mirwais.qaderi@msvu.ca)

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