Acid rain and ozone influence mycorrhizal infection in tree seedlings. [Pinus strobus; Quercus rubra]

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1986.10466108· OSTI ID:5728737

Reich, P B; Stroo, H F; Schoettle, A W; Amundson, R G

Atmospheric pollution may be causing reduced growth and increased mortality of trees in forests in Europe and North America. Acid rain and ozone are the two pollutants most frequently mentioned as causal agents in the forest decline problem. One plant-environment interface where atmospheric pollution may be having an impact is the symbiotic association between roots and soil fungi known as mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are essential for the survival and growth of most forest tree species in the natural environment. Mycorrhizal fungi can affect the nutrient uptake and translocation, water uptake, root morphology, carbon metabolism and disease resistance of the host plant. In specific instances, mycorrhizal infection has been observed to enhance tree growth increase seedling survival or protect plants from root disease. Therefore, sensitivity of the mycorrhizal association to atmospheric pollution could be harmful to forest trees and might influence the decline of forests.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• OSTI ID: 5728737
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 36:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
NITRATES
OZONE
SEEDLINGS
INJURIES
MYCORRHIZAS
SULFATES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
PINES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CONIFERS
DATA
INFORMATION
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TREES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)