Effect of acidic deposition on hybrid poplar- primary or predisposing stress?

Our research examined the role of acidic deposition as a primary, or predisposing, stress on 8–12 week old cuttings of hybrid poplar (Populos deltoides x nigra). Firstly, we examined the role of acidic deposition as a primary stress in terms of physiological indicators (gas exchange, chlorophyll concentrations, chlorophyll-a fluorescence). Our results suggest that levels of acid precipitation of > pH 3.5 did not act as a primary stress. Secondly, we hypothesized that acidic deposition could act by making trees more susceptible to drought. An acid treatment exposure regime was followed by 3–4 days of drought stress in a controlled environment. Preexposure to acidic deposition did not increase the degree, or rate of appearance, of water stress as indicated by predawn xylem pressure potentials and leaf conductances. Examination of cuticular water loss from excised leaves suggested that this parameter was insensitive to acidic deposition from pH 3.0 to 5.5.