Interspecific differences in the effects of sulfur dioxide on angiosperm sexual reproduction

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5558766

DuBay, D T

The major objective of this study was to test the potential direct effects of SO/sub 2/ on sexual reproduction in several plant species with different reproductive structures and processes. In marked contrast to the sensitivity to SO/sub 2/ reported by other investigators for pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro, and recorded for Lepidium virginicum in this study, 4 of 5 species tested were tolerant with respect to fruit and seed set after exposure to 0.6 ppm SO/sub 2/ for 8 hours during flowering. Seed set in the one sensitive species, Geranium carolinianum, was reduced 40% from the control after exposure to SO/sub 2/, but only when relative humidity (RH) was at or above 90%. The effect of SO/sub 2/ on Lepidium pollen germination in vitro was greater than the effect of SO/sub 2/ on sexual reproduction in vivo. Sulfur dioxide reduced pollen germination in vitro 94% from the control. The same concentration of SO/sub 2/, at 90% Rh, reduced pollen germination in vivo 50% from the control, but had no effect on seed set. Predictions of effects of SO/sub 2/ on reproduction in vivo based on effects of SO/sub 2/ on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro are not valid.

• Research Organization: Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5558766
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
PLANTS
REPRODUCTION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
FLOWERS
POLLEN
CHALCOGENIDES
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)