Detecting sulfur dioxide stress in red maple foliage by changes in membrane permeability and ethylene evolution

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA)

OSTI ID:6991799

Barger, J H ^[1]; Roberts, B R; Schnipke, V M

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1. Dept. of Agriculture, Delaware, OH (USA)

Two-yr-old seedlings of red maple (Acer rubrum L) were exposed to sulfur dioxide (SO{sub 2}) pollution at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 2.0, and 4.0 ppm 8 hr daily for two 3-day periods spaced 3 days apart. Alterations in membrane permeability caused by SO{sub 2} stress were measured by electrolyte leakage of incubated leaf discs, and changes in ethylene biosynthesis were determined by gas chromatography using intact leaves. Ethylene increased 62% as SO{sub 2} concentration changed from 0 to 0.5 ppm, suggesting that ethylene may be a useful indicator for determining the onset of acute SO{sub 2} stress in maple. Membrane permeability was not as sensitive to the onset of SO{sub 2} stress but exhibited incremental changes associated with increasing levels of SO{sub 2}. These data suggest that membrane permeability may serve as a useful index for monitoring changes caused by SO{sub 2} at the cellular level.

• OSTI ID: 6991799
• Journal Information: Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA), Journal Name: Plant Physiology, Supplement; (USA) Vol. 89:4; ISSN PPYSA; ISSN 0079-2241
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKENES
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CHALCOGENIDES
ETHYLENE
HYDROCARBONS
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MAPLES
MEMBRANES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PLANT CELLS
PLANTS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
SYNTHESIS
TOXICITY
TREES