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Effects of Acid Rain on Corn Silks and Pollen Germination

Dep. of Plant and Soil Sciences, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Pollen germination was significantly reduced on corn (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3747) silks exposed to an episode of simulated acid rain of pH 4.6, 3.6, or 2.6 as compared with germination on silks treated with pH 5.6 rain. Silks treated with a simulated acid rain of pH 3.6 or 2.6 developed necrotic lesions in the most distal regions. When silk tissue was immersed in a simulated acid rain of pH 3.6, the development of necrosis in the tip region was related to the duration of the exposure. Silk tissue placed in a simulated acid rain solution was able to buffer the acidity of the rain over time.

Key Words: Buffering capacity • Plant injury • Sexual reproduction • Tissue necrosis • Zea mays L.

Contribution (in part) from Exp. Stn. Project 499, USDA Grant 84-CRSR-2-2391 and Massachusetts Dep. of Food and Agric. Task 4. Mass. Agric. Exp. Stn. Paper no. 2816.

Received for publication December 22, 1986.