Air pollution effects on ornamental plants
The sources of ozone, sulfur, and ethylene pollutants were discussed, and their effects on plants were described. Ozone is the most widespread important phytotoxic air pollutant in the United States. Ozone is responsible for injury and mortality of native plants, such as ponderosa pine in the mountains east of Los Angeles. Acute ozone injury to coniferous plants, such as pines, usually appears as a death of the needle tip, or sometimes of the entire needle. Oxides of sulfur, mainly sulfur dioxide, arise from many sources, but the burning of coal accounts for sixty percent of the total. Phytotoxic levels of SO/sub 2/ usually exist only near a large source, such as downwind from a steel mill, smelter, coke works, power plant or other industries. SO/sub 2/ is taken into the plant leaf through the stomata along with the normal constituents of the air. SO/sub 2/ causes injury or death of tissue. On broadleaved species, SO/sub 2/ injury appears as areas of injured tissue located between green veins. Ethylene is emitted from automobile exhaust. It is also released in the burning of nearly any organic substance including agricultural waste and residential trash. Symptoms of ethylene exposure to plants include growth reduction, decreased apical dominance, bud abscission, and flower deformities or failure to open properly.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
- OSTI ID:
- 6447699
- Journal Information:
- Am. Hortic.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Hortic.; (United States) Vol. 57:1; ISSN AMHOD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALKENES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CONIFERS
ETHYLENE
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORNAMENTAL PLANTS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PINES
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
SENSITIVITY
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TOXICITY
TREES