GROWTH-RESPONSES OF BARLEY EXPOSED TO SO2

Barley (Hordeum vulgare ev. Schooner) plants were exposed to 4, 42, 121, 256 or 517 nl 1−l SO2 to investigate the relationship between the exposure concentration of SO2 and growth. The plants were exposed from 14 days old, in open‐top chambers for 4 h day−1 (10.00‐14.00 h) for 79 days. The concentration‐response curves established illustrated a small growth stimulation (approx. 10%) at 42 nl 1−1 and a growth inhibition at 121 nl 11− or greater. The growth reduction was generally proportional to the exposure concentration at concentrations above 42 nl 1−1 Sulphur concentration in the shoot increased linearly with ambient SO2 concentration. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved