Effect of photochemical air pollution on two varieties of alfalfa

Journal Article · Tue Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1976 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es60123a011· OSTI ID:6240313

Thompson, C R; Kats, G; Pippen, E L; Isom, W H

The effect of air pollution on two varieties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) was measured by growing the alfalfa in pots in a carbon-filtered atmosphere (CF) and nonfiltered (NF) air. Green forage weights, leaf-to-stem ratios, numbers of stems, and numbers of surviving plants were determined. Green forage yields in NF air were 42.2 and 33.3% less than in CF air for the varieties Hayden and Eldorado, respectively. Reduced yields paralleled increases in concentrations of oxidants in the atmosphere at the experimental site for the first four of the seven harvests made. At the conclusion of the experiment, plant counts in the NF air showed stand losses of 36.4% for Hayden and 38.1% for Eldorado when compared to CF air. Chemical analyses of dried forage samples showed higher crude fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamin C in both varieties grown in CF air. Niacin was significantly decreased. A determination of protein efficiency ratio with rats and an in vitro nitrogen digestibility test showed no varietal or treatment effects.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Riverside
• OSTI ID: 6240313
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 10:13; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALFALFA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
GROWTH
INHIBITION
LEGUMINOSAE
PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDANTS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLLUTION
PRODUCTIVITY