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Sensitivity of Plants to Acidic Fog

USDA Forest Service, 240 West Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (formerly Statewide Air Pollut. Res. Ctr., Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521);

J. L. Sterrett

Statewide Air Pollut. Res. Ctr., Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Several crop species were exposed to simulated acidic fog from pH 1.6 to 3.2 or to 5.6 in greenhouse experiments. Foliar injury and growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Cherry Belle), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Tiny Tim), onion (Allium cepa L. cv. Southport White Globe), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Bloomsdale Long Standing), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cvs. Pinto and Improved Kentucky Wonder), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cvs. Mesa Sirsa and Moapa 69), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. cv. Valencia), and trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliate L.) were determined after exposure to simulated fog at acidites down to pH 1.6. Potted plants were exposed for 2 h after sunset on 2 consecutive days every week for 4 (radish) or 12 (others) weeks. Acidic fog at ambient pH levels injured plants, but large amounts of acidic input were required for injury to occur. Although crop species varied in magnitude of response to acidic fog, in general, pH 3 or below was required to induce foliar injury and pH 2 or below was required to induce foliar injury and pH 2 or below to reduce growth. Radish, spinach, alfalfa, and Valencia orange were sensitive to foliar necrosis from acidic fog, while onion was tolerant. Acidic fog reduced yields of dry bean and spinach, reduced root weight of tomato, and delayed maturity of bean and alfalfa.

Key Words: Acid precipitation • Radish • Raphanus sativus L. • Tomato • Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. • Onion • Allium cepa L. • Spinach • Spinacia oleracea L. • Bean • Phaseolus vulgaris L. • Alfalfa • Medicago sativa L. • Sweet orange • Citrus sinensis L. • Trifoliate orange • Poncirus trifoliate L.

Contribution of Statewide Air Pollut. Res. Ctr., Univ. of California, Riverside. The research described in this article has been funded in part by the North Carolina Agric. Res. Service (a Special Grants Program Agreement with the USDA Coop. State Res. Service). Investigator's opinion does not reflect the opinion of either CSRS or North Carolina Agric. Res. Service.

Received for publication May 15, 1987.