Effects of acidic precipitation on host-parasite interactions
During the past decade, the average acidity of rain and snow increased by 1-2 pH units in many parts of Europe and North America. Little is known of the effects of acid rain resulting from dissolution of sulfur dioxide on biological systems. The effects of simulated sulfuric acid rain on four host-pathogen system were studied. Plants were exposed in greenhouse and field to simulated rain of pH 3.2 or pH 6.0 in amounts and intervals common to weather patterns of the eastern United States. Simulated acid rain resulted in: (1) an 86% inhibition in telia production of Cronartium fusiforme on willow oak (Quercus phellos); (2) a 66% inhibition in the production of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne hapla) on field grown kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris Red Kidney); (3) a 20% decrease in the severity of Uromyces phaseoli infection of field grown kidney beans; and (4) either stimulated or inhibited development of halo blight on kidney bean (caused by Pseudomonas phaseolicola) depending upon the segment of the disease cycle in which the stress occurred: (a) simulated acid rain before inoculation stimulated disease development; (b) suspension of inoculum in acid rain decreased inoculum potential; and (c) acid rain after infection inhibited disease development. Results suggest that the pH of rain is a new environmental parameter of concern to plant pathologists.
- Research Organization:
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh
- OSTI ID:
- 5487329
- Journal Information:
- Proc. Amer. Phytopathol. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Simulated acidic precipitation causes direct injury to vegetation
Developmental and anatomical changes in leaves of yellow birch and red kidney bean exposed to simulated acid precipitation
Related Subjects
ACID RAIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BEANS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUNGI
MICROORGANISMS
NEMATODES
NORTH CAROLINA
OAKS
PARASITIC DISEASES
SULFURIC ACID
ASCHELMINTHES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DATA
DISEASES
FEDERAL REGION IV
FOOD
HELMINTHS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANTS
RAIN
TREES
USA
VEGETABLES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)