Effect of SO 2 - NO 2 fumigation on wooden tree seedlings in open top chamber system

Abstract

The present study has been performed on one year old tree saplings of Azadirachta indica (L.), Cassia siamea (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.), Eucalyptus rostrata (L.), Mangifera indica (L.) and Schyzygium cumini (L.) in order to assess the effect of exposure of SO2-NO2, alone and combination of two gases. Tree saplings have been exposed to an average of 495 g m SO2 and 105 g m NO2 for 40 d at the rate of 4 h d during 10:00 am to 01:00 pm in OTC. Total chlorophyll, specific leaf area (SLA), nitrate reductase (NR) activity, foliar protein, free proline content and free amino acids (AAs) of foliage have been the plant parameters, taken into consideration to evaluate the effect of gaseous exposure. Exposure of two gases has caused reduction in total chlorophyll content (P < 0.05, 0.01). Physiological and biochemical process has been seemed to be altered noticeable due to the combined effect of SO2 + NO2 followed by SO2 alone (P < 0.05, 0.01). NO2 mediated stress has produced, stimulatory and inhibitory responses in tree saplings. Results reveal that tree saplings have been attempted to absorb the NO2 through N assimilation pathway. E. rostrata, C. siamea have been emerged as moderate tolerant to SO2 mediated stress followed by A. indica. Response pattern of S. cumini, M. indica and D. sissoo set them as good indicators of SO2 NO2 exposure. Effects of two gases on tree saplings have been found to be synergistic.