Premium
Air Pollution With Relation to Agronomic Crops: IV. Plant Growth Suppressed by Exposure to Air‐borne Oxidants (Smog) 1
Author(s) -
Taylor O. C.
Publication year - 1958
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1958.00021962005000090018x
Subject(s) - citation , air pollution , environmental science , horticulture , library science , chemistry , computer science , biology , organic chemistry
Synthetic smog (reaction products of ozone and vapors of 1-N-hexene) significantly reduced the growth of rooted Lisbon lemon cuttings, Lisbon lemon scion on Troyer citrange stock and grapefruit seedlings without visible symptoms of leaf injury. Growth suppression by natural Los Angeles smog was less pronounced probably because of smog-free periods during the experiment which allowed partial recovery. Synthetic and natural smog suppressed blooming of petunia plants and fruit set by tomato plants as well as approximately 50% reduction in rate of growth. Leaves of tomato, bean, and petunia were visibly injured by the two types of smog. The young fully expanded leaves were highly susceptible to injury. Premature senescence and drop of the older lemon leaves was caused by extended exposure to synthetic and natural smog. The rate of water use by lemon cuttings and lemon scions was reduced 25% by the synthetic smog. 9 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.