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Effects of air pollutants on Los Angeles Basin citrus

Journal Article · · Calif. Citrogr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6214724

Commercially producing lemon and navel orange trees were enclosed in plastic covered greenhouses and were given various fractions of the air pollutants occurring in the Los Angeles Basin. In some treatments nitric oxide was supplied to the trees to react with ozone but this formed nitrogen dioxide, another phytotoxicant. The study showed that the photochemical smog complex reduced the rate of water, apparent photosynthesis and yield of both lemons and navel oranges. Fluoride levels in the atmosphere were too low to cause detectable effects. Leaf drop was significantly less in lemons receiving carbon filtered air than those receiving ''ambient air''. A similar trend occurred in navel oranges. Fruit drop is a serious problem in navel oranges. This loss was significantly less in carbon filtered air than ambient. Yield of mature fruit is reduced in some cases by as much as 50 percent.

OSTI ID:
6214724
Journal Information:
Calif. Citrogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Calif. Citrogr.; (United States) Vol. 55:5; ISSN CALCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English