Abstract
Research into the effects of low levels of SO2 on grasses has revealed no direct correlation between the dose of this pollutant and the plant's response1. Authors have suggested that environmental factors are of prime importance in the control of the response, because in many cases damage was most severe during the winter2,3. I have investigated the influence of total irradiance on the sensitivity of grasses to SO2, and shown that the effect of the pollutant was greatest in conditions of low irradiance and short photoperiod. Together, these factors may contribute to the increased sensitivity of plants during winter exposures to pollutants.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bell, J. N. B., Rutter, A. J. & Relton, J. New Phytol. 83, 627–643 (1979).
Bell, J. N. B. & Clough, W. S. Nature 241, 47–48 (1973).
Ashenden, T. W. & Mansfield, T. A. Nature 273, 142–143 (1978).
Warren Spring Laboratory, Ministry of Technology The Investigation of Air Pollution. Monthly Summary (1973).
Ricks, G. R. & Williams, R. J. H. Envir. Pollut. 8, 97–106 (1975).
Nieboer, E., Richardson, D. H. S., Puckett, K. J. & Tomassini, F. D. in Effects of Air Pollutants on Plants (ed Mansfield, T. A.) 61–85 (Cambridge University Press, London, 1976).
Ziegler, I. Residue Revs 56, 79–105 (1975).
Garsed, S. G. & Read, D. J. New Phytol. 79, 583–592 (1977).
Bleasdale, J. K. A. Envir. Pollut. 5, 275–285 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Davies, T. Grasses more sensitive to SO2 pollution in conditions of low irradiance and short days. Nature 284, 483–485 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/284483a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/284483a0
This article is cited by
-
Identification and evaluation of air-pollution-tolerant plants around lignite-based thermal power station for greenbelt development
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2012)
-
Sulfite inhibition of photochemical activity of intact pea leaves
Photosynthesis Research (1992)
-
Long-term effects of SO2 on plants, SO2 metabolism and regulation of intracellular pH
Plant and Soil (1991)
-
Light and the maintenance of photosynthetic competence in leaves of Populus balsamifera L. during short-term exposures to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide
Planta (1989)
-
Responses of dry weight growth under SO2 stress in an SO2‐tolerant plant, Polygonum cuspidatum
Ecological Research (1988)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.