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Acid Rain and Seed Yield Reductions in Corn

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

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Seed yields were significantly reduced on corn (Zea mays L.) plants where the silks had been exposed to an episode of simulated acid rain at pH 3.6 as compared with yields on plants with silks exposed to simulated rain of pH 5.6. The reduction in yield appeared related to a decrease in pollen germination and tube elongation associated with acidic conditions and limited quantities of pollen available for pollination. Germination and tube elongation of pollen were inhibited when grown on an agar medium acidified to pH 4.6 with simulated rain. Germination of pollen grains was reduced as much as 75% on silks previously exposed to a simulated rain of pH 3.6 as compared with germination on silks exposed to simulated rain of pH 5.6. The results suggest that under environmental conditions that limit the quantity of pollen, acid rain could reduce crop yields in corn by inhibiting the reproductive process.

Contribution (in part) from Exp. Stn. Project no. 499, UDSA grant no. 84-CRSR-2-2391, and Massachusetts Dep. Food and Agric. Task 4. Mass. Agric. Exp. Stn. Paper no. 2865.

Received for publication April 8, 1988.