Physiological changes in and ozone susceptibility of the tomato plant after short periods of inadequate oxygen diffusion to the roots

Journal Article · · Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6296140

Stolzy, L H; Taylor, O C; Dugger, Jr, W M; Mersereau, J D

The degree to which tomato leaves were altered following short periods of reduced oxygen in the root zone was studied in relation to the following factors: apparent rate of photosynthesis, susceptibility to ozone, and carbohydrate concentration. Reduced rates of soil oxygen diffusion for 8 1/2 hours brought about a 50% decrease in CO/sub 2/ fixation by plants, while shorter periods (3 hours) had only a slight effect on apparent photosynthesis. However, the short period of anaerobic treatment over the soil surface, followed by normal soil aeration for 24 hours, reduced the susceptibility of the plant to ozone damage by as much as 50%. Carbohydrate analysis of leaf tissue for similarly treated plants showed a 50% reduction in sucrose and 33% reduction in starch. It is hypothesized that the anaerobic pretreatment brought about a change in the root membrane permeability or a shift in metabolism that promoted excretion of certain carbohydrates from the roots which in turn changed the concentration of carbohydrates in the leaves. 9 references, 5 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California Citrus Research Center, Riverside
• OSTI ID: 6296140
• Journal Information: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.; (United States) Vol. 28:3; ISSN SSSJD
• 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.
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
FOOD
FRUITS
LEAVES
MEMBRANES
METABOLISM
NONMETALS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
OZONE
PERMEABILITY
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SOILS
SYNTHESIS
TOMATOES