NE-176: Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Response to Ozone in the Northeastern

United States

 

 

Annual Progress Report: January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000

 

 

 

I. General Summary

 

 

Although a proposal for revising the project (October 1, 2000 - September 30, 2005) was submitted during February 2000 to NE Experiment Station Directors, because of changes in the CREES guidelines for such revisions, the projected was granted an extension until September 30, 2002. At the Annual Technical Committee Meeting on June 2, 2001, project scientists initiated the effort to revise the proposal according to the new CREES guidelines for submission either for the August 2001 or February 2002 NE Experiment Station Directors meeting.

 

During FY 2000, the project members prepared a review article on ozone and plant health emphasizing the work being done by the NE-176 scientists, for the benefit of non-specialists. That article was published during January 2001and has received wide attention (Krupa, S., McGrath, M.T., Andersen, C.P., Booker, F.L., Burkey, K.O., Chappelka, A.H., Chevone, B.I., Pell, E.J. & Zilinskas, B.A. (2001). Ambient ozone and plant health. Plant. Dis. 85, 4-12.

 

During FY 2000, the project lost three of its members due to changes in their employment responsibilities. However, during the same period five new members were nominated and are now participants in the project, bringing the total membership to 20, representing 12 states (+ 1 Canadian province) and 17 different institutions. Additional nominations have been made at the June 2001 Technical Committee Meeting and further expansion of the project membership is under way to encompass almost all of the scientists in N. America studying the effects of ozone on plants. In addition, linkages to European scientists are also being initiated.

 

In addition to the ongoing collaborative research among various scientists within NE-176, one of the thrusts during FY 2000 has been the initiation of plans to conduct identical field experiments among several states to assess the adverse effects of ambient ozone on a sensitive crop (bean) under field conditions. This work and other similar "Development Activities" are being described in the proposal revision.

 

 

 

 

Auburn University

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.    2. Agency  3. Identifiers   5. Work Unit/Project No. ALA-11-028          6. Status

 

7. Title  Characterization and Mechanisms of Planjt Response to Ozone in the Northeastern United States

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.  Chappelka, A.H.

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy): 12/31/00                   40. Period Covered:   01/01/00 to 12/31/00

41. Progress Report:

A study investigating the effects of ambient ozone on native plant communities growing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) was initiated in 2000. Plants were rated for symptoms of ozone, and measured for rates of stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis. Data are currently being analyzed. This study will be continued in 2001. Information regarding the effects of ozone on natural plant communities was provided to cooperators to incorporate into a process-level model (VEGPOP). To determine if ambient ozone concentrations are affecting the growth of yellow-poplar and black cherry, trees previously identified regarding ozone sensitivity will be re-evaluated for visible sensitivity to ozone and re-cored at three sites within the GRSM in the vicinity (< 2 km) of ambient ozone monitors. This is a new investigation to be initiated in 2001. Graduate students = 1.

42. Impact:

Results from these studies will provide information to decision makers so adequate protective standards can be developed.

43. Publications:

Chappelka, A.H. 2000. Air pollution: Forest health and passive sampling. New Phytol. 147:417-419.

Barbo, D.N., Chappelka, A.H., Somers, G.L., Miller, M.S. and Stolte, K. 2000. Ozone impacts on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) grown in a competitive environment. In: Air Pollution, Global Change and Forests in the New Millennium: 19th Ann. IUFRO Meeting for Spec. In Air Pollution Effects on Fores Ecosystems, 28-31 May, Houghton, MI.

Muntifering, R.B., D.D. Crosby, M.C. Powell and A.H. Chappelka. 2000. Yield and quality characteristics of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) exposed to ground-level ozone. Animal Feed Sci. & Tech. 84:243-256.

 
Boyce Thompson Institute,
Ithaca, NY

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 

7. Title: Effects of Changes in Air Quality on the Genetic Diversity of Plant Populations

 

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

  1. Kohut, R.
  2. Costich, D.

 

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                                   40: Period Covered (mm/dd/yy):

 

41. Progress Report:

 

Plants respond to changes in their environment by adaptation, evolution, or, if neither of these approaches is effective, extinction.  Evolution is characterized by a change in gene frequency in a population as a consequence of selection.  For selection to occur, three conditions must be satisfied: phenotypic variation must exist in a character within a population; part of the variation in the character must be under genetic control; and variation in the character must affect reproductive fitness.   If changes in air quality have an impact on a character, if the population shows variation in the level of impact produced, and if the impact has an effect on reproductive fitness, the stress may produce changes in gene frequencies, or evolution, within the population.  My current research focuses on assessing the long-term, independent effects of carbon dioxide and ozone on plant populations, with particular emphasis on their potential to produce changes in population genetic diversity.

 

An on-going study is assessing how gradually escalating levels of carbon dioxide will effect the phenotypic, physiological, and genetic properties of plant populations after several generations of exposure.  The studies use Brassica rapa (Wisconsin Fast-Plant) as the model system for assessment.  Populations are either maintained in ambient levels of carbon dioxide or grown in carbon dioxide environments that increase 10% each generation.  Phenotypic and physiological properties of the populations are assessed each generation, and population genetic diversity is characterized using microsatellite DNA markers.  Every generation, plants in each of the populations are subject to selection based on reproductive fitness as characterized by numbers of seeds produced and percent germination of seed.  The top 25% of the plants in each population, based on reproductive fitness, serve as sources of seed for the following generation.  The study is concluding the fourth generation of exposure.

 

I am also interested in the possible effects ozone may be having on the genetic diversity of plant populations because of its regional distribution and the long-term exposures that have taken place.  Proposals are currently pending to conduct field studies on the long-term effects of ozone on the genetics of black cherry and on ozone-sensitive understory species along gradients of exposure in the northeast.  The proposed studies will assess the distribution of sensitivity to ozone in populations receiving different levels of long-term exposure, and the levels of genetic diversity within the same populations.  Genetic diversity will be assessed using AFLP and microsatellite DNA analyses.  Relationships among level of exposure, distribution of sensitivity, and genetic diversity will be assessed. 

 

 

 

 

Boyce Thompson Institute,

Ithaca, NY

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 

7. Title: Assessment of Effects of Ozone of Forest Resources in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.  Weinstein, D.

 

20: Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                   40. Period Covered (mm/dd/yy):

 

41. Progress Report:

 

The Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative (SAMI) is a regional partnership led by eight southern states.  SAMI’s mission is to identify and recommend emissions strategies to remedy existing and prevent future adverse air quality effects in Southern Appalachia, with particular focus on Class I areas.  SAMI’s integrated assessment is evaluating effects of ozone, acid deposition, and fine particles that impair visibility.  SAMI’s Policy Committee has defined air emissions reduction strategies for which emissions, atmospheric transport, exposures, environmental effects, and socioeconomic impacts are being characterized.  The integrated assessment results will be delivered in 2001 and will provide the basis for SAMI policy recommendations to the southern states. 

 

SAMI’s Effects Subcommittee is responsible for the ozone assessment design. The subcommittee includes representatives from state regulatory agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency, US Forest Service, National Park Service, industry, and several environmental organizations.  Boyce Thompson Institute, SAMI’s contractor, is using a multi-model approach to project forest responses to future changes in ozone as a function of SAMI strategies. The U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis data was used to characterize forest types and species abundance in each of 12 geographic areas within the SAMI region.   Ozone responses of the most abundant forest types in each area and of unique forest types in selected Class I areas are being represented using the TREGRO and ZELIG models.  TREGRO is a single tree physiology model that incorporates experimentally-determined effects of ozone on leaf photosynthesis to project ozone effects on leaf area, tree height, and root growth.  ZELIG is a stand model that projects forest growth and species composition as a function of available resources (light, moisture, nutrients).  Ozone responses of 2-5 species are being evaluated in TREGRO for each forest stand modeled in ZELIG (35 total stands).   Hourly ozone and meteorological records for 1993-1995 for ozone monitoring sites in each of the 12 areas are the basis for the TREGRO analyses.  Changes in hourly ozone as a function of SAMI strategies are being provided from the results of SAMI’s air quality modeling. Species-specific responses to ozone from TREGRO are used as inputs to ZELIG.  The projected changes in forest growth and species composition for the 25 stands in 2010 and 2040 will be described for each SAMI strategy and will be interpreted regionally for policy audiences.


Cornell University

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 

 

7. Title:  Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Response to Ozone in the Northeastern United States

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.   Margaret Tuttle McGrath

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                   40. Period Covered:   1/1/2000 to 12/31/2000

 

41. Progress Report:  

Plant response to ambient ozone on Long Island, NY, was examined by growing ozone-sensitive (S) and ozone-tolerant (R) white clover and snap beans. In contrast with most previous years, ozone was >80 ppb for only 77 hrs on 18 days in 2000.  Ozone was >80 ppb for 60, 124, 121, and 184 hrs in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.  The highest concentration (145 ppb) was reached on 10 June, which was similar to 1999 but at least 2 weeks earlier than previous years.  Ozone was >100 ppb only during 9-11 June; it was at this level for 14 hours. Clover was grown in pots or in the field and harvested 5 times (monthly) following protocol being used elsewhere to quantify ozone impacts. Ambient ozone reduced growth of the S clone, but did not have as great an impact as in previous years. Dry weight of harvested leaves and flowers for the two clones differed significantly only at the second harvest (12 Jul) for pot-grown clover and only at the second and third harvests (12 Jul and 10 Aug) for field-grown clover. The ozone episode on 9-11 Jun was too close to the first harvest date (14 Jun) to have had a detectable impact on growth during the first growth period. Growth of the pot-grown S clone was reduced an average of only 14% during the second growth period, compared to an average, calculated over four periods when growth was affected, of 24% and 27% in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Average daily 12-hr ozone mean was 46.6, 48.4, 43.4, 35, and 27.9 ppb for the five growth periods, respectively. The highest daily 12-hr ozone mean was 109.5, 69, 69.2, 59.9, and 46 ppb for these periods. Daily 12-hr ozone mean exceeded 50 ppb for 10 of 34 days, 12 of 28 days, 9 of 29 days, 3 of 29 days, and 0 of 38 days during these five periods. The exposure index AOT40 (accumulated exposure over the threshold of 40 ppb) was 5618, 4545, 3744, 1828, and 404 ppb.h for these periods. All values were lower than in 1999 with the exceptions of the highest daily mean for the first growth period, the first 2 AOT40 values, and the number of days that the 12-hr ozone mean exceeded 50 ppb for the second period. Yield and foliar injury due to ozone were compared for 14 ozone-sensitive and ozone-tolerant snap bean cultivars and lines grown under field conditions. The lines have similar growth characteristics and yield in the absence of ozone. From mid-Jun through Sep when beans were grown, ozone was >50 ppb for 23 of 98 days. Pods were harvested when immature (for fresh-market consumption) from some plants and when mature from others. Tolerant beans produced 28% more pods per plant by weight harvested on 17 Aug for fresh-market consumption. Tolerant beans produced 30% more pods per plant by number and 54% more seeds harvested at maturity than sensitive beans. Average seed weight was 40% greater.

42. Impact:

Although ambient ozone concentration on Long Island was lower in summer 2000 than in previous years, growth and yield of sensitive plants, especially snap beans, was reduced. These results document that ozone is consistently high enough to significantly reduce yield of sensitive plants in an important agricultural county in New York.

43. Publications:

McGrath, M.T.  2000.  Impact on snap bean of ambient ozone at Long Island, New York. Phytopathology 90:S133.

McGrath, M.T.  2000.  Impact of ambient ozone on clover at Long Island, New York. Phytopathology 90:S50.

University of Maryland

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 

 

7. Title: 

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.   Mulchi, C. L..

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                   40. Period Covered:   1/1/2000 to 12/31/2000

 

41. Progress Report:

 

Twenty-one cultivars of soybeans, 7 each for maturity groups III, IV, and V, were grown full season in 5-m diameter open top chambers exposed to either CF air (25 + 5 nL O3 L-1) or NF + O3 (60 + 10 nL O3 L-1).  The following data were collected:  grain wt. m-2, seeds plt.-1, grain wt. 100-1, oil and protein contents, and fatty acid composition.  An O3 tolerance index system was developed from the data based on Σ ratios for CF/NF+O3 treatments using grain wt. m-2 seeds plt.-1 and grain wt. 100-1.  A linear relationship (r2 = 0.82) was found between O3 tolerance index rating and grain yield reductions.  Cultivars having yield losses below 25% of CF controls had O3 index values < 3.5 and those with losses > 40% of controls exhibited values > 4.5.  Cultivars with high O3 tolerance included Croton 3.9, Chesapeake and Wicomico and those with high O3 sensitivity included Bass, Jack, IA3005, and Delsoy 4710.

 

43. Publications:

 

Chernikova, T., Robinson, J.M., Lee, E.H., Mulchi, C.L.  (2000.)  O3 tolerance and antioxidant enzyme activity in soybean cultivars.  Photosynthesis Research, 64:15-26.

 

Rudorff, B.F.T., Mulchi, C.L., Lee, E.H.  (2000).  Plant responses to elevated CO2 and interactions with O3.  In:  Trace Gas Emissions and Plants, (Ed.) Singh, S.N.  pp. 155-179.  Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands.

 

Islam, K.R., C.L. Mulchi, and A.A. Ali.  (2000)  Interactions of tropospheric CO2 and O3 enrichments and resistance variations in microbial biomass and respiration in soil.  Global Change Biol. 6:1-11.

 

 

 

University of Massachusetts

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

        0153568                      CSREES              MAS                    MAS00686                        Progress

 

7. Title:   Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Responss to Ozone in the Northeast

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1. Manning, W.J.

 

20. Termination Date:  09/30/02                       40. Period Covered (mm/dd/yy):  01/01/2000 to 12/31/2000

 

41. Progress Report:

 

We have continued to work on identifying environmental factors controlling (O3) uptake and plant response to O3 under ambient conditions, using multivariate regression modeling.  Variables have included ambient O3, temperature, % RH, PAR, wind velocity and % available soil moisture, in relation to stomatal conductance and O3 uptake, primarily in Bel-W3 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) at seven day sampling intervals. Similar work was done with common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and chronic O3 injury response.  Soil water content and ozone uptake (conductance) were key variables. Elevated O3 concentrations during periods of light intensity (<500 mol m-2 s-1) approx. 1/4 full sunlight) should not result in foliar injury. Soil moisture and light-dependent stomatal conductance appear to be the two most influential factors correlated to acute foliar O3 injury in Bel-W3 tobacco plants exposed to ambient ozone.  Plant introduction lines of Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium have been characterized for ozone sensitivity in CSTRs and in OTCs and field plots.  Some of these have been used as parents for commercial cherry tomato cultivars (F1 hybrids).  they have good potential for use as bioindicators of ambient O3 and for use in assessment of the effects of ambient ozone on plant growth and productivity in OTCs or with the EDU method.  We have also begun to evaluate turfgrass species and commercial cultivars for the same purposes.

 

42. Impact:

 

Our results are fundamental to understanding factors that affect O3 uptake and plant injury.  This has direct bearing on air quality standards for plants and people.  We are also identifying new bioindicators for O3 that will increase public awareness of the O3 problem.

 

43. Publications:

 

University of Minnesota

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.    2. Agency   3. Identifiers 5. Work Unit/Project No.     6. Status

                                                                                       MIN-22-048

 

7. Title  Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Response to Ozone in the Northestern United States

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.  Sagar V. Krupa

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                   40. Period Covered:   1/1/200 to 12/31/2000

 

41. Progress Report:

 

A stochastistic, Weibull probability model was developed and verified to simulate the underlying frequency distributions of hourly ozone (O3) concentrations (exposure dynamics) using the single, weekly mean values obtained from a passive (sodium nitrite absorbent) sampler. The simulation was based on the data derived from a co-located continuous monitor. Although at the moment the model output may be considered as being specific to the elevation and location of the study site, the results were extremely good. The simulated hourly data from the mean, weekly values of the passive sampler were within -12.8 to

+ 11.66% of the continuously monitored hourly O3 concentrations. This effort for the approximation of the O3 exposure dynamics can be extended to other sites with similar data sets and in developing a generalized understanding of the stochastic O3 exposure-plant response relationships, conferring measurable benefits to the future use of passive O3 samplers, in the absence of continuous monitoring. Thus, the present effort provides an important step beyond the krieging techniques (with annual or seasonal average or total O3 concentrations) being used in mapping the spatial distribution of ambient O3 exposures and in better explaining the stochasticity in vegetation response relationships.

 

42. Impact:

 

This work is still in its early stages and therefore, its societal impact, output to target audience and the outcome can not be gauged as yet.

 

43. Publications:

 

Nosal, M., Legge, A.H. & Krupa, S.V. (2000). Application of a stochastic, Weibull probability generator for replacing missing data on ambient concentrations of gaseous air pollutants. Environmental Pollution 108:439-446.

 

Groth, J.V. & Krupa, S.V. (2000). Interactive effects of ozone, ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide on crops. In: Climate Change and Global Crop Productivity, eds. K.R. Reddy & H.F. Hodges. CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom, pp 387-405.

 

II. Individual Experiment Station/Institution Reports

 

 

 

 

Penn State

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 

7. Title   Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Response to Ozone in the Northeastern United States

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

  1. Skelly, J.M.
  2. Stevenson, R.E.

 

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):   12/31/00 40. Period Covered (mm/dd/yy):  01/95 to 12/00

 

41. Progress Report:

 

During 5 years of research we have monitored ozone air pollution for the period Apr. 1 through Oct. 31 at 5-forested sites in north central Pennsylvania.  year-to-year trends arte inconclusive, except that concentrations have been found to closely follow seasonal weather patterns, i.e. wet and cool seasons had low seasonal average ozone concentrations and drier and warm seasons have much higher seasonal ozone concentrations.  Large differences in ozone exposures were also demonstrated between sites with higher elevation sites situated at more western locations having the higher ozone exposures.  A very significant positive correlation with the Ogawa passive ozone sampler was demonstrated during the 1999 & 2000 seasons at 11 and 16 sites, respectively.  During recent years, ozone induced foliar symptoms were observed for weekly occurrence on 15 plants each of common milkweed (Aesclepias syriaca, L.) and black cherry (Prunus serotina, Ehrh.) at up to 16 sites; close correlation with the ozone exposure between sites and between years of higher and lower ozone exposures were recorded.  Studies of ambient 03 exposures on the responses of seedling and mature canopy black cherry, red maple and white ash were completed under natural forest conditions in central Pennsylvania.  Under open-top chamber conditions, foliar symptoms were observed on all 3 species inclusive of red maple, a here-to-fore noted asymptomatic (tolerant) species.  There were significantly more symptoms on seedlings of all species grown in open-plots or in chambers supplied with non-filtered air; likewise seedlings grown on well-watered soils exhibited significantly more symptoms than those on the non-watered soils.  Pre-visual changes in stomatal conductances and photosynthesis were notable with the most significant effects on the well-watered soils; during the driest part of the growing seasons, plants on the non-watered open-top chamber plots and on drier-sites of the natural forest were virtually shut down through greatly reduced stomatal conductance.  The heritability of ozone sensitivity with black cherry was clearly demonstrated within seed orchard and seedling fumigations within our CSTR facility.  In a CSTR based study, controlled lightflecks in comparison to constant light were shown to decrease physiological activity (less Pnet) and increase symptom expression in black cherry, red maple (Acer rubrum, L.) and hybrid poplar (Populus, spp.).  Results suggest a de-coupling of stomatal conductances and photosynthesis as a result of the light fleck treatments.  Forest Health Monitoring surveys were completed during the 1998-2000 summer seasons with an annual evaluation of forest plots.  No major concerns regarding current or changing forest health were recorded.  A late season survey for 03 induced foliar injuries on bioindicator plants at hundreds of statewide plots revealed ozone-induced foliar injuries to have occurred during each growing season, but again with variations attributable to ozone exposures and seasonal weather patterns.  An investigation in southern Switzerland demonstrated ozone to be responsive for foliar symptoms observed on 15 forest and native plant species.

 

42. Impact

 

Photochemically produced ozone is the most important regional pollutant due to long-range transport of polluted air masses from urban and industrial areas of the Midwest and Northeast into Pennsylvania's agricultural and forested lands; the pollutants is of concern to the long-term productivity and health of trees and native plants that comprise our natural and forested areas.  Our recent studies have shown significant ozone exposures and vegetation effects to be taking place within the forested and natural areas of north central Pennsylvania.  Within our research programs, ozone has been monitored, foliar injury on sensitive plants has been observed and subsequently proven to be due to ozone under controlled fumigations, and several pre-visual symptoms inclusive of reduced photosynthesis have been clearly determined on mature canopy trees using physiological measurement techniques under natural conditions and ambient ozone exposures.  Peer review journal articles have been published regarding these demonstrated effects and as such are then considered as verified contributions to the USEPA National Ambient Air Quality Standard setting process.  The monitoring of significant ozone exposures at sites located within remote, forested and mountainous areas of north central Pennsylvania has also become of importance to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air Quality.  Clean air standards follow.

 

43. Publication

 

Percy, K., Bucher, J., Cape, J., Ferretti, M., Heath, R., Jones, H., Karnosky, D., Matyssek, R., Muller-Stark, G., Paoletti, E., Rosengren-Brinck, U., Sheppard, L., Skelly, J., and Weetman, G. 1999.  State of science and knowledge gaps with respect to air pollution impacts on forests: Reports from concurrent IURFRO 7.04.00 Working Party sessions. IN L J. Sheppard and J.N. Cape, eds. Forest Growth Responses to the Pollution Climate of the 21st Century. Kluwer Acad. Pub. pp. 443-448.

 

DeBauer, L.I., Hernandez-Tejeda, T. and Skelly, J.M. 2000.  Air pollution and problems in the forested areas of Mexico and Central America. IN J.L. Innes and A.H. Barnes, eds. Air Pollution and the forests of developing and rapidly industrializing countries. IUFRO Res. Series 4. CABI Publishing. N.Y. NY. pp. 35-62.

 

Skelly, J.M. 2000.  Tropospheric ozone and its importance to forests and natural plant communities of the northeastern United States. Northeastern Naturalist (3):221-236.

 

Skelly, J.M., Innes, J.L., Savage, J.E., Snyder, K.R., VanderHeyden, D., Zhang, J. and Sanz, M.J. 2000.  Observation and Confirmation of foliar ozone symptoms on native plant species of Switzerland and southern Spain. J. Water, Air, and Soil Pollut. 116:227-234.

 

Ferdinand, J.A., Fredericksen, T.S., Kouterick, K.B. and Skelly, J.M.  2000.  Leaf morphology and ozone sensitivity of two open-pollinated genotypes of black cherry (Prunus serotina) seedlings. Environ. Pollut. 108:297-302.

 

Kouterick, K.B., Skelly, J.M., Fredericksen, T.S., Steiner, K.C., Kolb, T.E. and Ferdinand, J.A. 2000.  Foliar injury. leaf gas exchange and biomass responses of black cherry (Prunus serotina, Ehrh.) half-sibling families to ozone exposure. Environ. Pollut. 107:117-126.

 

VanderHeyden, D., Skelly, .M., Innes, J., Hug, C., Zhang, J., Landolt, W. and Bleuler, P. 2000.  Ozone exposure thresholds and foliar injury on forest plants in Switzerland. Environ. Pollut. 111:321-331.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penn State

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 

7. Title  Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Response to Ozone in the Northeastern United States

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.  Sinn J. (for Eva Pell)

 

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                   40. Period Covered:   01/01/2000 to 12/31/2000

 

 

41. Progress Report:

 

Cell walls contain compounds sensitive to oxidation, however the direct interaction between these cell wall constituents and O3 had not yet been studied. Changes in the profiles of phenolic cell wall constituents in leaves of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Roma) exposed to 0.08 ml l-1 O3 were measured by HPLC and Mass Spectrometry. Reductions in the quantity of wall-bound vanillic acid occurred within 3 to 4 h of O3 exposure. At the same time, a glycone of vanillin aldehyde appeared in the soluble wall fraction of O3-treated plants. Work is underway to synthesize this glycone and to determine if it can act as an elicitor of the changes in gene expression that are typical of tomato’s O3 response. Upon exposure to O3, many plant species produce ethylene (C2H4), a plant hormone that induces many responses including foliar aging. We produced multiple potato plant lines that carried the antisense to either of 2 O3-induced ACC synthase genes (ST-ACS4 and ST-ACS5, genes in the C2H4 biosynthetic pathway). We hypothesized that these genetically transformed plants would have reduced capacity to synthesize C2H4, and as a result would exhibit fewer adverse responses to O3. C2H4 production was measured following 1.5 hr exposures to 0.30 ppb ml l-1 O3. Non-transformed (NT) plants were simultaneously exposed to O3 for comparison of their response. Transgenic lines displayed three types of responses: 1) C2H4 emission was no different from the NT plants; 2) C2H4 production was slightly reduced; 3) C2H4 production was increased. Previous work had shown that ST-ACS5 is expressed earlier than ST-ACS4. O3-induced C2H4 production in potato was more often suppressed in lines carrying antisense for ST-ACS5, however this effect was complete in only one of several tested lines. Introduction of antisense DNA for ST-ACS4 was less effective at preventing the O3 response. Data were analyzed for a 1999 field study of the O3 response (photosynthetic rate, leaf and shoot number, and biomass of shoot, rhizome and root) of a marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora. Clones originated from 3 geographically distinct locations on the Eastern seaboard of the US (the states of NJ, GA, and SC). Within states, clones were taken from sites at least 100 m apart. The data showed that the O3 response of the clones varied between states, but within states there was no significant variation in O3 response. Analysis of the interaction of O3 and nitrogen (N) nutrition on hybrid poplar was continued. Field-grown plants with optimal or sub-optimal N were grown with or without O3. Amino acid (AA) composition and content were determined by HPLC in leaf and phloem samples taken from the base and from the top of the canopy during the growing season of 1999. The predominant AAs in the phloem sap are glutamine and asparagine, which account for up to 90% of the overall AA content. Other major AAs are glycine, threonine and alanine, which together account for about 10 % of the total AAs. Remaining AAs were detected in trace amounts. In general, the AA content was highest in leaves and phloem taken from the upper canopy of O3-treated plants.

 

 

 

 

42. Impact:

 

Elucidation of the mechanisms of O3 action on plant systems has several potential applications. This work is of use in establishing adequate air quality standards. In addition, by understanding the means by which O3 induces plant injury, breeders have better information for developing plant lines with increased tolerance to this pollutant. There is potential for the potato genotypes carrying the antisense to the O3-induced ACC synthase genes ST-ACS4 and ST-ACS5 to serve as a source for O3 tolerant germplasm. However, further tests would be needed to test the efficacy and safety of such an approach. The effectiveness of such an approach might be increased if antisense for both genes could be incorporated into the potato genome. The work with hybrid Poplar aids in predicting the response of plants to multiple stresses, and in clarifying the costs of within-plant ‘compensation’ to O3 stress. Examination of the O3 response of S. alterniflora helps to fill a large gap in the existing knowledge about the O3 sensitivity of wetland plants.

Rutgers University

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institution

 

Date:

 

1.  Accession No. 0156679  2. Agency    3. Identifiers  NJ         5. Work Unit/Project No.    12202    6. Status

 

   

7. Title:  Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Response to Ozone in the Northeastern U.S.                  

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.  Zilinskas, B.A                                                  3.                                                                             5.

2.                                                                             4.                                                                             6.

                                                           

20. Termination Date                                                                         40: Period Covered –  01/01/00 – 12/31/00

 

41. Progress Report

 

In a collaborative project with Dr. Thomas Leustek, we report a new control point for rapid response of plants to oxidative stress.  5'-adenylylsulfate (APS) reductase catalyzes a key reaction in the plant sulfate assimilation pathway leading to the synthesis of cysteine and the antioxidant glutathione.  In vitro biochemical studies of APR1, encoded by one of a family of three APS reductase genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, is activated by oxidation, probably through the formation of a disulfide bond.  The enzyme is inactivated in vitro by treatment with disulfide reductants and is reactivated with thiol oxidants.  Exposure of a variety of plants to ozone induces a rapid increase in APS reductase activity that correlates with the oxidation of the glutathione pool and is followed by an increase in free cysteine and total glutathione.  During the response to ozone, the level of immunodetectable APS reductase enzyme does not increase.  Treatment of A. thaliana seedlings with oxidized glutathione or paraquat induces APS reductase activity even when transcription or translation is blocked with inhibitors.  The results suggest that a post-translational mechanism controls APS reductase.  A model is proposed whereby redox regulation of APS reductase provides a rapidly responding, self-regulating mechanism to control the glutathione synthesis necessary to combat oxidative stress.

 

42. Impact

 

Evidence is provided for a novel mechanism by which plants respond rapidly to oxidative stress through redox regulation of APS reductase and synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione.

 

43. Publications

 

 

USDA-ARS,

Raleigh, NC

 

United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

Date  05/04/2001

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency  (USDA-ARS Air Quality Research Unit, Raleigh, NC)             

3. Identifiers            5. Work Unit/Project No.                                  6. Status 

 

7. Title: Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Ozone in the Northeastern US                        

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1. Burkey K.O.                                                      3. Heagle A.S.                                                       5.

2. Booker F.L.                                                        4. Miller J.E.                                                           6.

                                                          

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy)                                    40: Period Covered  01/01/2000 - 12/31/2000

 

41. Progress Report:

 

Two O3-tolerant snap bean lines (Provider and Tenderette) contained higher levels of leaf apoplast ascorbic acid than an ozone sensitive line (Oregon-91) suggesting extracellular ascorbate is a factor that could be manipulated to enhance the O3 tolerance of crop plants.  Cooperative studies with the USDA Forest Service found that elevated CO2 and low soil fertility increased carbon allocation to secondary compounds such as catechin and proanthocyanidins (tannins) and decreased nitrogen concentrations of pine needles. Altered needle chemistry could affect plant pest/pathogen interactions, slow microbial decomposition of plant litter, and lead to decreased site soil quality.  For O3-sensitive winter wheat cultivars, yield enhancement due to elevated CO2 was greater for plants stressed by O3 than for plants grown at low O3 concentrations, which occurred primarily because elevated CO2 prevented yield suppression caused by elevated O3.  The results indicate that the response of future food production to increasing atmospheric CO2 is dependent upon the amount of O3 stress.  Collaborative research with NCSU entomologists found that O3 stress caused moderate to severe foliar injury on host potato plants, but did not significantly affect potato beetle egg production, feeding and development of larvae, or survival of larvae to the adult stage. Although ground-level O3 concentrations are high enough to significantly suppress yield of sensitive potato cultivars, our results indicate that ambient O3 will not significantly affect Colorado potato beetle reproduction or rate of population increase.

 

42. Impact:

 

Identification of differences between O3-sensitive and tolerant plants will provide the knowledge required to develop O3-tolerant crops.  Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and forestry site management practices (irrigation and fertilization) will likely have effects on needle chemistry that could alter important physiological and ecological processes.  Predictive models that do not consider CO2 x O3 interactions may overestimate the impact of CO2 enrichment on crop production.  Increasing ambient O3 concentration is not projected to be a factor in Colorado potato beetle infestation of potato.

 

43. Publications:

 

Booker F.L.  2000.  Influence of carbon dioxide enrichment, ozone and nitrogen fertilization on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaf and root composition.  Plant Cell and Environment 23:573-583.

 

Booker F.L., Shafer S.R, Wei C., Horton  S.  2000.  Carbon dioxide enrichment, and nitrogen fertilization effects on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant residue chemistry and decomposition.  Plant and Soil 220:89-98.

 

Burkey K.O., Wei C., Eason, G., Ghosh, P., Fenner,  G.P..  2000.  Antioxidant metabolites levels in ozone-sensitive and tolerant genotypes of snap beans.  Physiologia Plantarum 110:195-200.

 

Heagle, A.S., Miller, J.E., Pursley, W.A.  2000.  Growth and yield responses of winter wheat to mixtures of ozone and carbon dioxide.  Crop Science 40:1656-1664.

 

Heagle, A.S., Stefanski, L.A.  2000.  Relationship between ambient ozone regimes and white clover forage production using different ozone exposure indexes.  Environmental Pollution 34:735-744.

 

Jackson, D.M., Rufty, T.W., Heagle, A.S., Severson, R.F., Eckel, R.V.W.  2000.  Survival and development of tobacco hornworm larvae on tobacco plants grown under elevated levels of ozone.  J Chemical Ecology 26: 1-19.

 

Mills, G., Ball, G., Hayes,  F., Skarby, L., Gimeno, B., de Temmerman, L., Heagle,  A.S.  2000.  Development of a multi-factor model for predicting the critical level of ozone for white clover.  Environmental Pollution 109:533-542.

 

Reinert, R.A., Eason, G.  2000.  Genetic control of O3 sensitivity in a cross between two cultivars of snapbean.  J American Society for Horticultural Science 125: 222-227.


V.P.I. & S.U.

 

 United States Department of Agriculture

AD-421 Progress Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations and Other Institutions

 

 

1.  Accession No.                 2. Agency              3. Identifiers         5. Work Unit/Project No.  6. Status

 0153495

 

7. Title:  Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Ozone in the Northeastern United States

 

12. Investigator Name(s) (Last name and initials)

 

1.   Chevone, B.

20. Termination Date (mm/dd/yy):                   40. Period Covered:   1/1/2000 to 12/31/2000

 

41. Progress Report:  

 

Photosynthetic function and chlorophyll a fluorescence was measured in ozone-tolerant and ozone-sensitive black cherry trees at two field sites during the summer, 2000. Ambient hourly ozone concentrations were quite low, with one brief episode of 80 to 100 ppb occurring on June 9 to June 11.  Maximum concentrations for the remainder of the growing season did not  exceed 75 ppb. Visible ozone injury first appeared on only the oldest leaves of sensitive trees on June 23 with 1 to 5% of the leaf surface symptomatic. In late May, maximum net photosynthesis of sensitive trees was about 20% higher than tolerant trees, but declined to 10% less than tolerant trees by mid-July. By early August, mean foliar injury had increased to about 25% on the third oldest leaf in sensitive trees. The maximum quantum efficiency of PSII and the maximum net photosynthetic rate were highly correlated with visible ozone injury, declining linearly as percent symptomatic tissue increased from 0 to 35%. The decrease in quantum efficiency of PSII indicated that ozone damaged PSII reaction centers, limiting photochemistry and linear electron transport. No effects on PSII function or photosynthetic rate were observed on tolerant trees through late August. By mid-September, net assimilation in sensitive trees was >50% less than that in tolerant trees. These results indicate that low, ambient ozone concentrations can significantly reduce photosynthetic capacity in ozone-sensitive forest trees. Such a reduction in photosynthesis should have a negative impact on tree growth.