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Growth, Photosynthesis, and Chlorophyll Concentrations of Red Spruce Seedlings Treated with Mist Containing Hydrogen Peroxide
Author(s) -
Hanson P. J.,
McLaughlin S. B.
Publication year - 1989
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/jeq1989.00472425001800040019x
Subject(s) - photosynthesis , hydrogen peroxide , mist , dry weight , chemistry , respiration , seedling , zoology , horticulture , growing season , botany , chlorophyll , dry matter , biology , meteorology , physics , organic chemistry
The effects of controlled exposures of mist (50–90 µ m drop size) containing hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) on greenhouse‐grown red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) were studied for 16 wk coincident with the 1987 growing season. One‐year‐old seedlings were treated with simulated mist containing 0, 15, 59, or 235 µM H 2 O 2 three times each week from 2400 to 0930 h. Height, diameter, net photosynthesis, respiration, chlorophyll, and dry weight measurements were made. After 16 wk of H 2 O 2 exposures, no visible symptoms of foliar injury were evident. Similarly, no differences in net photosynthesis, respiration, or needle pigment concentrations were observed. Analysis of covariance of the dry weight data showed significantly greater dry matter in seedlings exposed to 235 µM H 2 O 2 treatment vs. those treatments representing a range of ambient conditions (0, 15, and 59 µM ). Mean relative growth rates were also the greatest for seedlings of the 235 µM treatment. Given these controlled exposure studies, it is hypothesized that concentrations of wet‐deposited H 2 O 2 of up to twice current ambient maximums are unlikely to reduce red spruce seedling growth through direct impairment of leaf function.