Research Articles

Effects of simulated sulfur-rich, nitric-rich and mixed acid rain on the physiology, growth and yield of rape (Brassica napus)

Expand
  • 1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
    2Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Nanjing 210044, China
    3Agricultural College of Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
    4College of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

Received date: 2009-07-14

  Accepted date: 2009-12-26

  Online published: 2010-04-01

Abstract

Aims Our objective was to investigate the effect of sulfur acid rain (SAR), nitric acid rain (NAR) and their mixture (MAR) on the physiology, growth and yield of the crop rape (Brassica napus).

Methods Fifteen 4 m × 5 m plots were distributed stochastically for exploring SAR, NAR and MAR stress, with a roughly 0.6 m spacing between plots to avoid interference. We used three replicate treatments of pH = 7.0, 1.5, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 and examined growth and development at 5-day intervals from budding to the end of flowering (March 10 to April 25, 2006). On April 12 for the peak period of flowering, we measured leaf cell membrane permeability, contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and photosynthesis pigment in leaves, photosynthesis speed, leaf injury rate and leaf area as physiological and growth parameters. On May 10, we measured the yield index during the ripening stage.

Important findings These kinds of acid rains can inhibit physiology, growth and yield with effects differing among treatments. At pH ≤ 4.1, SAR, NAR and MAR damage the membrane of rape leaves, decreasing photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic speed, thereby diminishing photosynthesis of the crop. For pH ≤3.1, leaf area is decreased and the leaf injury rate increases greatly. The value of pH = 4.1 can be used as the threshold for impact on rape yield. Over the range of pH = 1.5-7.0, leaf membrane permeability, MDA content and leaf injury rate follow the pattern of NAR > MAR > SAR and for the photosynthetic speed, content of photosynthesis pigment, leaf area and yield the order is SAR > MAR > NAR. At pH > 4.1, the differences between these treatments of acid rain are insignificant. For pH ≤ 3.1, the stress differences become large (p < 0.05), with greater differences at stronger acidities, following the pattern NAR > MAR > SAR. This indicates the first two treatments have stronger inhibiting effects on the physiology, growth and yield of rape.

Cite this article

MAI Bo-Ru, ZHENG You-Fei, WU Rong-Jun, LIANG Jun, LIU Xia . Effects of simulated sulfur-rich, nitric-rich and mixed acid rain on the physiology, growth and yield of rape (Brassica napus)[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2010 , 34(4) : 427 -437 . DOI: 10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.04.008

References

[1] Ashenden TW, Williams JH (1988). Differences in the spectral characteristics of brich canopies exposed to simulated acid rain. New Phytologist, 109, 79-84.
[2] Calatayud A, Iglesias DJ, Talón M, Barreno E (2003). Effects of 2-month ozone exposure in spinach leaves on photosynthesis, antioxidant systems and lipid peroxidation. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 41, 839-845.
[3] Chen HL (陈罕立), Wang JN (王金南) (2005). Exploring the total emission control of nitrogen oxides in China. Research of Environmental Sciences (环境科学研究), 18, 107-110. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[4] Demmig-Adams B (1990). Carotenoids and photoprotection in plants: a role for the xanthophylls zeaxanthin. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1020, 1-24.
[5] Feng ZW (冯宗炜) (1993). Effect of Acid Rain on Ecosystem (酸雨对生态系统的影响). China Science and Technology Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
[6] Ferenbaugh RW (1976). Effects of simulated acid rain on Phaseolus vulgaris L. American Journal of Botany, 63, 283-288.
[7] Guo SK (郭书奎), Zhao KF (赵可夫) (2001). The possible mechanisms of NaCl inhibit photosynthetis of maize seedlings. Acta Photophysiologica Sinica (植物生态学报), 27, 461-466. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[8] Hou FL (侯福林) (2004). Plant Physiological and Experimental Course (植物生理学实验教程). Science Press, Beijing. 13-15, 90. (in Chinese)
[9] Li HS (李合生) (2000). Principles and Techniques of Plant Physiological Biochemical Experiment (植物生理生化实验原理和技术). Higher Education Press, Beijing. 184-225, 260-261. (in Chinese)
[10] Li W (李巍), Yang ZF (杨志峰) (2000). Preliminary study on environmental impact assessment of significant economic policies―EIA of China automobile industry development policy. China Environmental Science (中国环境科学), 20, 114-118. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[11] Liang J (梁骏), Zheng YF (郑有飞), Li L (李璐), Mai BR (麦博儒) (2008). Effects of acid rain upon soil acidization and growth/development of rape crop in its middle-late stages. Journal of Agro-Environment Science (农业环境科学学报), 27, 1043-1050. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[12] Liu DY (刘大永), Zhu LQ (朱利泉), Liang Y (梁颖) (1997). Effect of acid rain and deposited coal dust on the activities of three antioxidiant enzymes in lettuce and Chinese cabbage. Chinese Journal of Applied & Environmental Biology (应用与环境生物学报), 3, 26-30. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[13] Liu YY (刘燕云), Cao HF (曹洪法), Shu JM (舒俭民), Gao YX (高映新) (1991). Effects of simulated acid rain and SO2 on growth and yield of vegetables. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae (环境科学学报), 11, 328-335. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[14] Lu RK (鲁如坤) (1999). Soil Agricultural Chemistry Analysis Method (土壤农业化学分析方法). Chinese Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing. (in Chinese)
[15] Lütz C, Anegg S, Gerant D, Alaoui-Sossé B, Gerard J, Dizengremel P (2000). Beech trees exposed to high CO2 and to simulated summer ozone levels: effects on photosynthesis, chloroplast components and leaf enzyme activity. Physiologia Plantarum, 109, 252-259.
[16] Niu XM (牛星梅) (1995). Nanjing acid rain condition and its changing trend in these years. Jiangsu Environmental Science and Technology (江苏环境科技), (3), 11-13. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[17] Peng CX (彭彩霞), Peng CL (彭长连), Lin GZ (林桂珠), Wen DZ (温达志) (2003). Effects of simulated acid rain on seed germination and seedling growth of three crops. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany (热带亚热带植物学报), 11, 400-404. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[18] Qi ZM (齐泽民), Zhong ZC (钟章成), Deng J (邓君) (2001b). The effects of simulated acid rain on nitrogen metabolism of Eucommia ulmoides levels. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica (植物生态学报), 25, 544-548. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[19] Qi ZM (齐泽民), Zhong ZC (钟章成), Deng J (邓君), Liu SJ (刘素君) (2001a). Effects of simulated acid rain on lipid peroxidation of membrane and nitrogen metabolism of Eucommia ulmoides leaves. Journal of Southwest China Normal University (Natural Science) 西南师范大学学报(自然科学版)), 26, 38-44. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[20] Samuels TD, Kucukakyuz K, Magaly RZ (1997). Al partitioning patterns and root growth as related to Al sensitivity and Al tolerance in wheat. Plant Physiology, 113, 527-534.
[21] Shan YF (单运锋), Feng ZW (冯宗炜), Chen CY (陈楚莹) (1989). Effects of simulate acid rain on the biomasses of seven forest species. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 9, 274-276. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[22] Siffel P, Braunova Z, Sindelkova E, Cudlin P (1996). The effect of simulated acid rain on chlorophyll fluorescence spectra of spruce seedlings ( Picea abies L. Karst). Journal of Plant Physiology, 148, 271-274.
[23] Singh A, Agrawal M (1996). Response of two cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. to simulated acid rain. Environmental Pollution, 91, 161-167.
[24] Tong GH (童贯和), Liang HL (梁惠玲) (2005). Effects of simulated acid rain and its acidified soil on soluble sugar and nitrogen contents of wheat seedlings. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 16, 1487-1492. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[25] Tong GH (童贯和), Liu TJ (刘天骄), Huang W (黄伟) (2005). Effect of simulated acid rain and its acidified soil on lipid peroxidation of wheat seedlings. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 25, 1509-1516. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[26] Wang JN (王金南), Chen HL (陈罕立) (2004). China city: urgent to block nitrogen oxides pollution. Environmental Economy (环境经济), (7), 1-5. (in Chinese)
[27] Wang KF (王开峰), Liao BH (廖柏寒), Liu HY (刘红玉), Zeng M (曾敏), Zhang Y (张永) (2005). Complex effects of simulated acid rain and zinc on growth and physiological- biochemical characteristics of Vicia faba L. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae (环境科学学报), 25, 203-207. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[28] Wang W (王玮) (2004). The discussion of NOx pollution and related issues. In: Chinese Society for Environmental Science ed. Chinese NOx Pollution Control Papers (全国氮氧化物污染控制研讨会论文集). China Environmental Science Press, Beijing 24. (in Chinese)
[29] Wang ZF (王自发), Gao C (高超), Xie FY (谢付莹) (2007). Modeling studies of acid rain in China: progress and challenge. Chinese Journal of Nature (自然杂志), 29(2), 78-82. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[30] Wood T, Bormann FH (1974). The effects of an artificial acid mist upon the growth of Betula alleghaniensis Britt. Environmental Pollution, 7, 259-268.
[31] Yan CL (严重玲), Li RZ (李瑞智), Zhong ZC (钟章成) (1995). Effect of simulated acid rain on ecophysiological characteristics of mung bean and maize. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 6(Suppl.), 124-131. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[32] Zeng QL (曾庆玲), Huang XH (黄晓华), Zhou Q (周青) (2005). Effect of acid rain on seed germination of rice, wheat and rape. Environmental Science (环境科学), 26, 181-184. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[33] Zhang FZ (张福珠), Tang HS (唐鸿寿), Yang XF (杨晓峰) (1993). Acid rain and its harms to the sensitivities of main crops on the southwest. In: National Environmental Protection Agency ed. Air Pollution Prevention Technology Research (大气污染防治技术研究) Science Press, Beijing. 827-834. (in Chinese)
[34] Zhang YM (张耀民), Wu LY (吴丽英), Wang XX (王晓霞), Zhang J (张静) (1996). Effects of acid rain on leaf injury and physiological characteristics of crops. Agro- Environmental Protection (农业环境保护), 15, 197-208, 227. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[35] Zheng YF (郑有飞), Mai BR (麦博儒), Liang J (梁骏), Li L (李璐), Tang XY (唐信英), Wu RJ (吴荣军) (2008). Effect of different simulated acid rain types on the nutrient quality of rape. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae (环境科学学报), 28, 2133-2140. (in Chinese with English abstract)
[36] Zhou Q (周青), Zeng QL (曾庆玲), Huang XH (黄晓华), Zhang GS (张光生), Liang CJ (梁婵娟), Wang LH (王丽红) (2004). Effects of acid rain on seed germination of various acid-fast plant. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 24, 2029-2036. (in Chinese with English abstract)
Outlines

/

005-264X/bottom_en.htm"-->