Differences in Ozone Sensitivity at Different NPK Levels of Three Tropical Varieties of Mustard (Brassica campestris L.): Photosynthetic Pigments, Metabolites, and Antioxidants

The effects of ambient O₃ at two different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, (recommended and 1.5 times the recommended NPK) on three tropical varieties of mustard (Brassica campestris L. var. Kranti, Aashirwad and Vardan) were explored to unravel the mechanism of protection under higher NPK level at a rural experimental site using open top chambers. Ambient O₃ concentrations ranged from 27.7 to 59.04 ppb. Lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes, and metabolites were higher, whereas photosynthetic pigments and protein were lower in all the varieties of mustard grown in non-filtered chambers than in filtered chambers. The magnitude of response varied with varieties, NPK levels and ages. Vardan showed a maximum stimulation in the antioxidative defense system, thus efficient scavenging of ROS produced by O₃ and consequently conferred greater tolerance in terms of least reductions in pigments and protein as compared to Kranti and Aashirwad. The antioxidant defense system was not stimulated in response to 1.5 times the recommended NPK, but higher levels of pigments and protein were maintained compared to the recommended NPK under ambient O₃ levels.