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Effects of Acid Rain on Corn Silks and Pollen Germination
Author(s) -
Wertheim Frank S.,
Craker Lyle E.
Publication year - 1988
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/jeq1988.00472425001700010021x
Subject(s) - germination , acid rain , pollen , zea mays , chemistry , horticulture , botany , agronomy , biology , organic chemistry
Pollen germination was significantly reduced on corn ( Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3747) silks exposed to an episode of simulated acid rain of pH 4.6, 3.6, or 2.6 as compared with germination on silks treated with pH 5.6 rain. Silks treated with a simulated acid rain of pH 3.6 or 2.6 developed necrotic lesions in the most distal regions. When silk tissue was immersed in a simulated acid rain of pH 3.6, the development of necrosis in the tip region was related to the duration of the exposure. Silk tissue placed in a simulated acid rain solution was able to buffer the acidity of the rain over time.