Physiological responses of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) to simulated acid rain and ambient ozone in the field

Physiological processes in field-grown soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. 'Davis’) to determine if plant responses were altered by simulated acid rain and if the responses to acid rain were modified by the presence of gaseous pollutants. Applications of simulated acid rain (pH 3.2, 4.2, and 5.2), alone or in combination with gaseous pollutants, did not significantly affect photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance of water vapor, or chlorophyll content at periodic intervals during the 1984 season. Furthermore, in leaf samples collected during pod fill, the concentrations of 11 elements were not significantly affected by simulated acid rain, alone or in combination with gaseous pollutants. These data are evidence that combinations of ambient rain and gaseous pollutants at similar levels may not cause significant physiological disruption in field-grown Davis soybean, and provide mechanistic support for studies where no significant effects on yield were reported.     

Effects of acid fog and detergents on foliar leaching of cations

Relative rates of nutrient leaching from the epygeous apparatus of Quercus ilex L., Fagus sylvatica L., Acer opalus Mill., Euonymus japonicus L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. were examined after exposure to simulated acid fog. Copper, Al, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, and Pb were preferentially leached at low pH, whereas leaching rates of Na, K, and Cd did not appear to be pH-influenced. Addition of surfactant to the spray solutions showed a slight reduction of leaching for all elements investigated. Except for Mg, foliar nutrient levels were not influenced during our experiments.     

Effect of simulated acid precipitation on nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in forest soils

After exposure of samples of three forest soils (pH 3.4 to 3.9) from the Adirondacks region of New York to 60, 230, or 400 cm of simulated rain of pH 3.5 or 5.6 in 4, 14, or 24 weeks, respectively, the soil samples were separated into the 0 to 2 and 2 to 5 cm organic layers and further incubated. The rates of N mineralization in Woods soil exposed to the simulated precipitation were less for rain at pH 3.5 than at pH 5.6, but the inhibition decreased with increasing exposure of the 0 to 2 cm layer. In Panther soil, the rates of mineralization were usually not affected by the acidity of the simulated rain. In the upper layer of Sagamore soil, mineralization was not influenced by pH of the simulated rain, but the transformation was faster in the bottom layer of soil after prolonged exposure to simulated rain at pH 3.5 than at pH 5.6. The rate of nitrate formation in Panther and Woods soil amended with ammonium was inhibited by the more acid rain. Studies with ¹⁵NH₄ indicated that ammonium was oxidized to nitrate even though ammonium levels did not decline or declined only slightly after prolonged exposure of Panther or Woods soil to rain at pH 3.5. The growth of orchardgrass in Panther and Woods soil was inhibited by the more acid simulated rain.     

Enhanced Mn accumulation by snapbean cultivars under FE stress

Iron deficiency in dicots is accompanied by an increased potential for Fe uptake and translocation. The mechanisms responsible for these changes in metabolism (Fe‐stress response) provide for the adaptation of Fe‐efficient genotypes to conditions which limit the availability of Fe. Previous studies indicated that when Fe‐stress response is initiated, the uptake of Mn, as well as Fe, is enhanced in Fe efficient species such as sunflower. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between Fe‐stress response and Mn uptake in snapbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cvs. Bush Blue Lake 290, Bush Blue Lake 274). The plants were grown in complete nutrient solutions containing 0.02 to 0.52 mg L^‐1 Mn, at acid or alkaline pH. Iron stress was induced with 0.22 mg l‐¹ Fe(EDDHA) (molar ratio 1:1 or 1:2), high P (14.3 mg L‐¹) and excess CaCO_3. Bush Blue Lake 290 ('BBL 290') was more sensitive than Bush Blue Lake 274 ('BBL 274') to Mn toxicity in acid (pH 5.2) nutrient solutions with adequate Fe. Under alkaline conditions, Mn accumulation by ‘BBL 290’ snapbean was increased dramatically with Fe stress, while a moderate Increase was found for ‘BBL 274’. Foliar symptoms of Mn toxicity, observed on Fe stressed ‘BBL 290’, increased in severity at higher Mn (0.06 to 0.26 mg L^‐1 ) concentrations. It was concluded that the magnitude of the enhanced Mn uptake was related to the intensity of Fe stress response as well as the cultivar sensitivity to Mn.     

Biological,chemical and physical responses of lakes to experimental acidification

Changes in physical, chemical and biological factors were observed during a 5-yr experimental acidification study in Lake 223 of the Experimental Lakes Area, and compared to a 2 yr pre-acidification period. Significant changes included increased transparency, rates of hypolimnion heating and rates of thermocline deepening; increased concentrations of Mn, Na, Zn, Al, and chlorophyll; decreased concentrations of suspended C, total dissolved N, Fe and chloride; increases in Chlorophyta but decreases in Chrysophyta; the disappearance of the opossum shrimpMysis relicta and the fathead minnowPimephales promelas; the appearance of epidemics of the filamentous algaMougeotea; decreased fitness and decline in numbers ofOrconectes virilis; and increased embryonic mortality of the lake troutSalvelinus namaycush. Sulfur budgets for two lakes experimentally acidified with sulfuric acid reveal that an average of 1/4 to 1/3 of added sulfate is sedimented, presumably as FeS, reducing the efficiency of acidification. The sedimentation occurs under both oxic and anoxic conditions. The utility of whole-ecosystem mass balance studies of S in ‘experimental’ and ‘observational’ mass balance studies is discussed.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on the growth,nutrition, foliar pigments and photosynthetic rates of sugar maple and white spruce seedlings

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR) of pH 3.2, 4.3 and 5.6 for two and one-half growing seasons. Ambient rain was excluded from the treatment plots by mobile rain exclusion canopies. Sugar maple seedlings treated with pH 3.2 SAR had significantly higher foliar concentrations of nitrogen, sulphur and manganese, compared to either the pH 4.3 or 5.6 treated seedlings. The pH 3.2 treated seedlings also tended to have greater growth and photosynthetic rates compared to the pH 4.3 and 5.6 treated seedlings. In contrast, the pH 3.2 treated white spruce seedlings tended to have decreased growth and lower foliar potassium concentrations relative to the pH 4.3 and 5.6 treated seedlings. Statistically there were no significant treatment differences in seedling height, seedling diameter, foliar pigments, or photosynthetic rates in either the sugar maple or white spruce seedlings.     

Influence of tree species on acidification and mineral pools in deciduous forest soils of South Sweden

The influence of tree species on chemical properties of the soil profile (0 to 70 cm), especially acidity and cation pools, was studied below canopies of 100 to 150 yr old individuals of Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Tilia cordata Mill, and Acer platanoides L., in three mixed deciduous forests. The pH(H₂O) range in the topsoil (0 to 5 cm) was 4.2 to 5.3 at the different sites and increased for all species by about 0.2 pH units to the upper C-horizon (50 to 70 cm). Carpinus had higher pH and base saturation, and the total exchangeable store of Ca (0 to 70 cm) at the ‘poorest’ site was ca 1.5 times greater than for Fagus and Quercus. Soils were less acid under crowns of Quercus than under Fagus and Carpinus in the upper 20 cm of the soil profile in the ‘richest’ site, but more acid at the deeper levels. The total exchangeable pools (0 to 70 cm) of K and Zn were 2 and 1.6 times greater under Quercus at the ‘richest’ site. Tilia had 10 to 20% units higher base saturation values and twice as much exchangeable Ca and Mg than the other species. It was concluded that out of all tree species studied, Tilia acidified the soil the least. The current annual total proton load (TPL) on the soil was 1.3 to 3.0 kEq ha^?1 yr^?1. The annual acid load due to cation excess accumulation in biomass was 30 to 50% of TPL. The remainder originated from atmospheric deposition. Quercus had the highest annual TPL at all sites, mainly because of greater input of atmospherically derived acidity, but also by a greater cation excess accumulation in biomass. Carpinus, compared to Fagus and Quercus, tended to have the lowest TPL at all sites, and Tilia had the lowest TPL at the intermediate site.     

Growth and gas exchange of loblolly pine seedlings as influenced by drought and air pollutants

One-year-old loblolly pine seedlings were exposed to 0₃(≤0.025 or 0.10 μ L L^?1, 4 hr d^?1, 3 d wk^?1) in combination with simulated rain (pH 5.6 or 3.0, 1 hr d^?1, 2 d wk^?1, 0.75 cm hr^?1) for 10 wk. After the 10-wk treatment, the seedlings were submitted to two drought cycles, and water potential, net photosynthesis (Pn), and transpiration (Tr) were measured. Whole-plant fresh weight increment and relative growth rate were significantly increased in seedlings exposed to simulated rain at pH 3.0 compared to pH 5.6. An interaction between 0₃ and simulated rain occurred in height growth. Shoot height elongation was significantly less in seedlings exposed to 0.10 μL L^?1 0₃ + pH 5.6 than in any other pollutant combination after the 10-wk treatment period. There were no significant effects of 0₃ on Pn and Tr prior to the drought cycles; however, after the first drought cycle, Pn was significantly higher in seedlings pre-exposed to 0.10 μL L^?1 0₃ compared to the low 0₃ concentration. The 10-wk treatment with simulated rain at pH 3.0 significantly increased Pn and Tr. The relationship between gas exchange rates and needle water potential during the moisture stress period was affected by preexposure to pollutants. In general, Pn and Tr were more sensitive to decreasing needle water potential in seedlings exposed to pH 3.0 during the first drought cycle and to 0.10 μL L^?1 0₃ during second drought cycle.     

Relationships of Spectral Reflectance with Plant Tissue Mineral Elements of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Under Drought and Salinity Stresses

ABSTRACT

Salinity and drought stresses are critical for Phaseolus vulgaris L. growth and development. They affect plants in various ways, including tissue mineral element content. Micro- and macro-elements in leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (cv. ‘Blue lake’ and cv. ‘Terli’) subjected to deficit irrigation and salinity treatments were investigated, both analytically and with regards to their effect on the leaves’ spectral reflectance. B (boron), K (potassium), Mn (manganese), Na (sodium), Si (silicon) and Zn (zinc) appeared to be influenced by stress factors, mainly responding to salinity increase. The leaf spectral reflectance of the plants appeared to be significantly correlated with most of the elements under investigation. Multivariate regression identified a relationship of the reflectance at particular regions of the spectrum with phosphorus and NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and indicated a significant correlation with B, Fe (iron), K, Mn, P (phosphorus) and Zn. Moreover, customized spectral indices, exhibiting significantly high correlation with B, Fe, K, Mg (magnesium), Mn, Na, P, Zn and N (nitrogen), were developed.     

Total and extractable copper and zinc as assessors of phytotoxicity in soilless potting media

Abstract

Agrostis capillaris ’Parys’, Beta vulgaris cicla ’Fordhook Giant’ (Swiss chard), Brassica oleracea ’Lion Heart’ (cabbage), Cineraria ’Miranda White’, Festiica rubra litoralis ‘Merlin’, Matthiola incana ‘Austral Apricot’ (stock), Phaseolus vulgaris ’Hawksbury Wonder’ (bean), and Polycarpaea spirosrylis (Copper Weed) were grown in pine bark‐based soilless media of pH 4.5, 5.5, and 6.5 amended with copper or zinc sulfate or composts containing high concentrations of either copper (Cu) or zinc (Zn). Growth responses ranged from none, through iron (Fe) deficiency, to symptoms of severe Cu or Zn toxicity. Correlations between growth and shoot Cu or Zn concentration on the one hand and total metal content of the medium and several measures of extractable metal content on the other were obtained. Medium pH had to be included in regressions to obtain high correlation coefficients. Total metal content and DTPA‐ and NH₄OAc‐extractable metals were about equally well correlated with growth response in these experiments, but when the results were combined with those from an experiment in which sewage sludge was the source of Cu and Zn, DTPA‐and NH4OAc‐extractable metals gave better correlations than did total content.     

Effect of pH on the uptake of cadmium,copper, and zinc from soilless media containing sewage sludge

Abstract

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris cicla ’Fordhook Giant'), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris ’Hawksbury Wonder'), and Agrostis capillaris ’Parys’ were grown in soilless media composed of Pinus radiata bark and 0–41% by volume of dried sewage sludge containing [in mg/kg] cadmium (Cd) [22], copper (Cu) [1,116], and zinc (Zn) [1,121]. Sublots of all mixtures were adjusted to pH 4.5, 5.5, or 6.5. Shoot weights were not reduced by sludge addition but those of Swiss chard and bean shoots declined with pH. Shoot contents of Cu, Cd, and Zn increased with decreasing pH. Shoot Cu concentrations were always sub‐toxic, and in Swiss chard toxicity symptoms were not observed until shoot Zn content reached 1,300 mg/kg. Cadmium in Swiss chard shoots reached 22 mg/kg. Metal concentrations in the shoots were well correlated with total and extractable metals in the media only if pH was included in the regression equations.     

Soil aluminium extraction methods in relation to plant aluminium and yield on Austrian and Brazilian soils

Abstract

A pot experiment with soils from Austria (Mollisol and Alfisol) and Brazil (two Oxisols), quite different in pH values and organic carbon contents, was carried out. Several soil tests for aluminum (Al) were evaluated and compared for their ability in predicting plant growth reductions and plant Al concentrations. Concerning the efficacy of the extradants in solubilizing soil Al, the amount of Al extracted decreased in the following order: 0.03M LaCl₃> 1M KCl > 1M NH₄Cl > 0.01 M CaCl₂. Only AlCaCl₂ and Al saturation correlated significantly with shoot yield of Poa pratensis (r = 0.76*** for CaCl₂; r = 0.84 *** for Al saturation) and Phaseolus vulgaris (r = 0.65** for CaCl₂; r = 0.83** for Al saturation). The results indicated that soil organic matter and the nutrient status of the soil had an important effect as diminishing Al uptake and improving growth of both Poa pratensis and Phaseolus vulgaris. Interactions between Al and magnesium (Mg) were also observed.     

Mineral nutrition,carbohydrate content and cold tolerance of foliage of potted red spruce exposed to ozone and simulated acidic precipitation treatments

Ninety potted red spruce saplings enclosed in open-top fumigation chambers were exposed to O₃ (charcoal-filtered air, non-filtered air, 1.5 × ambient, or 2 × ambient) and simulated rain (pH 3.1, 4.1 or 5.1) for two growing seasons (June to October). Foliage was sampled for mineral nutrients, total soluble sugars, and starch in September 1988 at the end of the second season of exposures. The development of cold tolerance of individual trees was assessed using the electrolyte leakage technique. Ozone and simulated rain treatments had marginal effects on mineral nutrient concentrations of current and 1 yr old foliage. Ozone did not affect foliar carbohydrate levels but the simulated rain treatments of pH 3.1 tended to depress levels of total soluble sugars and starch in 1 yr old foliage and of starch in current year's foliage. During mid to late October, the current year's foliage of trees receiving rain of pH 3.1 was less tolerant to cold than the current year's foliage of trees receiving rain of pH 4.1 or 5.1. Following the October period, trees in all three acidic rain treatments had similar tolerances to cold.     

Impacts of acid precipitation on coniferous forest ecosystems

This paper summarizes the results from current studies in Norway. One main approach is the application of artificial acid ‘rain’ and of lime to field plots and lysimeters. Application during two growth seasons of 50 mm mo^?1 of ‘rain water’ of pH 3 to a podzol soil increased the acidity of the humus and decreased the base saturation. The reduction in base saturation was mainly due to leaching of Ca and Mg. Laboratory experiments revealed that decomposition of pine needles was not affected by any acid ‘rain’ treatment of the field plots. Liming slightly retarded the decomposition. No nitrification occurred in unlimed soils (pH 4.4-4.1). Liming increased nitrification. The soil enchytraeid (Ohgochaeta) fauna was not much affected by the acidification. Germination of spruce seeds in acidified mineral soil was negatively affected when soil pH was 4.0 or lower. Seedling establishment was even more sensitive to increasing soil acidity. Analysis of throughfall and stemflow water in southernmost Norway reveals that the total deposition of H₂SO₄ beneath spruce and pine is approximately two times the deposition in open terrain. A large part of this increase is probably due to dry deposition. Increased acidity of the rain seems to increase the leaching of cations from the tree crowns. Tree-ring analysis of spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) has been based on comparisons between regions differently stressed by acid precipitation and also between sites presumed to differ in sensitivity to acidification. No effect that can be related to acid precipitation has yet been detected on diameter growth.     

Application of henriksen's ‘acidification indicator’ and ‘predictor nomograph’ to two adirondack lakes

During the period 1977–1980 we studied the effects of highly acidic precipitation (mean pH 4.1 to 4.2) on the chemistry of three Adirondack lakes: Woods Lake, Panther Lake, and Sagamore Lake. Two of these lakes (Woods and Panther) are enough like those lakes of southern Sweden and Norway studied by Henriksen that they should constitute a valid test of his ‘acidification indicator’ and ‘predictor homograph’. In our comparison we used data from weekly samples taken near the surface of the lakes during unstratified summer and fall conditions over a 3 yr period. The acidification indicator and predictor nomograph were developed using data from lake samples taken under similar conditions in Scandinavia. Our principal finding is that with regard to the empirical line of the acidification indicator (that Henriksen found separated data from lakes receiving precipitation greater or less than pH 4.6) and with the precipitation pH axis of the predictor nomograph, these two methods of evaluation are not directly applicable ‘as is’ to our lakes. The reason for this is that the chemistry of precipitation in the Adirondacks is significantly different from (and for) which the acidification indicator and predictor nomograph were developed. In the Adirondacks, acids other than H₂SO₄ play a much greater role in the overall acidity of the precipitation. This causes relationships between precipitation pH and lake chemistry in the two regions to be different.     

Vanadium induced manganese toxicity in bush bean plants grown in solution culture

Seedlings of two bush bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulqaris L. cvs. Mn‐sensitive ‘Wonder Crop 2’ and Mn‐tolerant ‘Green Lord') were grown for 14 days in full strength Hoagland No. 2 nutrient solution containing 0.05 ‐ 2 mg L^‐1 of vanadium (V) as ammonium vanadate.

Increasing V concentration in the solution decreased total dry weight of both cultivars. Plant tops were stunted and leaf color became dark green at 1 ‐ 2 mg L^‐1 V, especially in ‘Green Lord’. Veinal necrosis similar to that of Mn toxicity was observed in the primary leaves of ‘Wonder Crop 2’ at 0.2 mg L^‐1 V or above, but not in those of ‘Green Lord’.

The V concentrations in the roots increased exponentially with increasing V concentration in the solution; however, V concentrations in the leaves and stems were not affected. The Mn concentrations in the primary leaves increased under the higher V treatment in ‘Wonder Crop 2'; but not in ‘Green Lord’. In contrast, Fe concentration in the leaves of ‘Wonder Crop 2’ decreased markedly with increasing V concentration in the solution. Enhanced Mn uptake and greater reduction of Fe uptake by ‘Wonder Crop 2’ may explain the incidence of V‐induced Mn toxicity.     

Effect of salt stress on nitrogen fixation by different cultivars of green beans

Nitrogen fixation by three cultivars of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. ‘Tender Improved’, ‘Slim Green’, and ‘Kentucky Wonder') was investigated under normal (control = 0.3 bars osmotic pressure) and NaCl salinized (3.0 bars osmotic pressure) conditions. The study was carried out in a greenhouse with a sand culture technique, using a system which automatically recirculated a modified complete Hoagland nutrient solution with only 5 ppm N. Nitrogen was added as K¹⁵NO₃ to the culture solution. Plants were harvested three times (10, 20, and 30 days after the completion of the salt and N treatments). Plant parts (shoots and roots) were evaluated separately for dry matter production, total‐N concentration (%), total‐N content (mg/plant part), total‐N fixation (mg/plant part), and percentage of total‐N fixation. Salt stress significantly decreased dry matter production, total‐N content (uptake plus fixed), percent of total‐N fixed (based on the total‐N content of plant parts), and amount of total‐N fixed by plants. Among the three cultivars, Slim Green produced the lowest dry matter, fixed the least amount of N₂, and had the lowest fixed‐N percentage for any corresponding treatment, particularly under NaCl stress conditions.     

Use of plants to evaluate the difference in available cadmium between soils

Abstract

A new method was proposed for assessing the difference in the capacity of soils to supply Cd to plants. The relation of tissue (tc) to soil (sc) Cd concentrations can be expressed as; log(tc) = α+βlog(sc), where α and β are the regression coefficients. When the same plant is grown on another soil, the equation will change to; log(tc) = α'+β'log(sc’). Based on both equations, the relationship between sc‘and sc becomes; log(sc’) = (α‐α')/β’ + (β/β') log(sc). Set p = (α‐α')/β’ and q = β/β’, then the difference of Cd availability between two soils can be evaluated according to the values of p and q. The p and q values were determined among four treatments in which radish was grown on a sand soil and a silty loam soil at two pH levels. The values showed that the Cd present in the sand soil (pH 5.6) and the metal in the silty loam soil (pH 7.5) were the most and least available, respectively. It was therefore considered that the parameters p and q could be used as criteria for selecting an ideal extractant capable of removing the actually available Cd from soils.     

Interaction between simulated rain and barren rock surface

During the latter decades extensive fish kills have been observed in the mountainous areas of southernmost Norway. These kills have been attributed to the increased acidity of the river-water. The increased acidity is generally assumed to be caused by acid precipitation. However, the relationship between precipitation and runoff quality is very complex. The present paper is concerned with the relationship between chemical composition of simulated rain and that of runoff from bare granitic rock, partly covered by lichens. When supplying simulated rain with a pH value of approximately 5 the very first runoff had pH values between 4.1 and 4.3. However, the pH in the runoff increased rapidly and leveled out at values between 4.6 and 4.7. When supplying simulated rain with pH approximately 3.5, the pH in the first runoff varied between 3.8 and 3.6. The pH then gradually decreased to the same values as those in the simulated rain. Runoff from ‘rain’ with pH 4.3, obtained the same pH value as that of the ‘rain’. The pH of the runoff was dependent not only on the rain acidity, but also on its content of neutral salts.     

Estimation of the effect of lead and cadmium ions on fluctuating asymmetry in leaves of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effect of lead and cadmium ions on the fluctuating asymmetry of the side leaflets’ central veins of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was estimated. The impact of heavy metals on the parameter with the lead or cadmium content in the ground in the concentration of 650 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg respectively was not revealed.