Inhibitory effects of simulated acid rain on the growth of 12 garden plant species and their physiological response to it.
Xiao Yan, Huang JianChang, Liu ShaoXian, Yang WeiZhao, Guo DongSheng, Zhu LingZhi
Author Affiliation: Zhongkai Agrotechnical College, Guangzhou 510225, Guangdong, China.
Journal of Southwest Agricultural University 26 : 270-273, 276
Abstract : Lagerstroemia speciosa, Bombax ceiba, Mangifera indica, Litchi chinensis, Ficus retusa, Ficus benjamina, Calliandra heametocephala [C. haematocephala], Excoecaria cochichinensis, Codiaeum variegatum, Murraya paniculata, Schefflera odorata [sic], and Carmona microphylla [sic] were exposed to simulated acid rain with different pH values (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.6). Shoot growth, leaf injury and leaf chlorophyll content were determined. Under acid rain stress, shoot growth was inhibited in all species and, with the decrease in pH value of the acid rain, leaf injury index increased and chlorophyll content decreased. The species differed in their susceptibility to acid rain. C. microphylla and F. benjamina showed the highest resistance to acid rain, while E. cochichinensis, C. heametocephala and L. speciosa were most susceptible.