Effects of Ozone and Sulfur Dioxide on Cotton Growth and Quality

摘要

In a two year study, two varieties of cotton, Acala SJ-2 and Acala SJC-1, were exposed to SO2 and ambient oxidants alone and in combination using open top field chambers. Two levels of SO2, 0.05 ppm and 0.10 ppm were applied for six hours per day, four days per week. SO2 at 0.10 ppm reduced yields of SJ-2 cotton in both ambient and filtered air. SO2 at 0.10 ppm in combination with ambient oxidants reduced yield of SJC-1 cotton by 16% in the second year. SO2 in filtered air did not reduce SJC-1 cotton yield. No changes in cotton quality were observed. Poor growing conditions during the first year and a severe infestation of verticillium, a soil borne fungal disease, during the second year may have obscured the impact of air pollution on yields.