Combined effects of ozone and water stress on alfalfa growth and yield (journal version)

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6289049

Temple, P J; Benoit, L F; Lennox, R W; Reagan, C A; Taylor, O C

The interactive effects of ozone (O/sub 3/) and water stress on alfalfa were studied to determine how water stress could alter these functions, and to describe the cumulative effects of multiple-year exposures to O/sub 3/ on this perennial crop. Water stress reduced total seasonal yield about 10% in 1984 and 27% in 1985. Ozone significantly reduced yields in both years, and the interaction between O/sub 3/ and water stress was statistically significant in 1985 and for combined 1984 and 1985 years. Ozone dose-alfalfa yield loss functions were homogeneous between 1984 and 1985, and no evidence of a cumulative effect of multiple-year exposure to O/sub 3/ was found on top growth. However, crown (underground stem) weights were significantly reduced by O/sub 3/, suggesting that continued exposure to O/sub 3/ could shorten the productive life of alfalfa stands, in addition to its effect on yield.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Riverside (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6289049
• Report Number(s): PB-89-144976/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALFALFA
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DROUGHTS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FORECASTING
GROWTH
LEGUMINOSAE
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
OZONE
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
RHIZOBIUM
YIELDS