Influence of simulated acidic rain on bacterial speck of tomato. [Lycopersicon esculentum Mill var. 'Chico III', Pseudomonas tomato]
Ambient rain in southern Ontario has a volume-weighted average pH of approximately 4.2. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill var. 'Chico III') seedlings were exposed to simulated acidic rain in specially designed chambers. The inoculum of Pseudomonas tomato (Okabe) Alstatt, causal agent of bacterial speck, was sprayed on plants before or after exposure to acidic rain of pH 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5, as well as on plants not exposed to the simulated acidic rain. Speck symptoms (small, dark, brown spots with yellow halos) were found on all inoculated plants. Exposure of plants to simulted acidic rain inhibited speck development, but the inhibition was greater on plants exposed to acidic rain after inoculation. Spot necrosis, a typical response to acid rain, occurred on up to 15 to 20% of the leaf area on all tomato plants treated with acidic rain at pH 2.5. Plants alos showed a decrease in growth (height and fresh and dry weights) with an increase in rain acidity. Leaves injured by simulated acidic rain and examined histopathologically displayed cellular malformations including hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Pseudomonas tomato failed to grow on acidified King B medium or Difco nutrient broth adjusted to pH 3.5 or lower.
- Research Organization:
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Toronto
- OSTI ID:
- 7003592
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 13:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
SIMULATION
BACTERIAL DISEASES
INHIBITION
PLANT CELLS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PLANT GROWTH
BACTERIA
INOCULATION
LEAVES
NECROSIS
TOMATOES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DISEASES
FOOD
GROWTH
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
MICROORGANISMS
RAIN
VEGETABLES
560303* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)