High temperature effects on gas exchange for the invasive buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare[L.] Link)

Buffel grass was introduced to the Sonoran Desert in the mid-twentieth century, where it has aggressively invaded new areas. Given its ecological success at a place where the air temperature can approach 50 degrees C, the effects of high air temperatures on gas exchange were studied for this species. The carbon dioxide uptake and water use efficiency were maximal at day/night air temperatures of 30/20 degrees C for potted plants, substantially decreasing at higher temperatures until the plants died at 45/35 degrees C.