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Effects of Sulfur Dioxide on Pinus resinosa Seedlings in the Cotyledon Stage
Author(s) -
Constantinidou H.,
Kozlowski T. T.,
Jensen K.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1976.00472425000500020006x
Subject(s) - cotyledon , seedling , chlorosis , fumigation , horticulture , dry weight , botany , chemistry , biology , agronomy
Seedlings of red pine ( Pinus resinosa Ait.) in the cotyledon stage of development were exposed to four concentrations of SO 2 (0.5, 1, 3, or 4 ppm) at four exposure times (15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes). Seedling development was inhibited by SO 2 at all concentrations for 120 minutes and at 1.0 ppm and above for 30 minutes or longer. The adverse effects were proportional to SO 2 concentration and duration of exposure. The fumigations induced chlorosis in both cotyledons and primary needles, slowed expansion of primary needles, inhibited dry weight increment of both cotyledons and primary needles, and induced necrosis of tips of cotyledons and primary needles. Growth of seedlings was inhibited more by increasing the duration of exposure to SO 2 than by increasing SO 2 concentration. The extreme sensitivity to SO 2 of pine seedlings in the cotyledon stage suggests that their exposure to continuous fumigation in the field, even at low dosages, may adversely influence seedling development and regeneration of pine communities.