Ecophysiological Response of <i>Capsicum annuum</i> L. Exposed to Simulated Acid Rain

Abstract

Pot experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of simulated acid rain (pH 5.6 (control), 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, and 2.0) exposures on Capsicum annuum L. All pH levels with the exception of the control adversely affected all growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of leaves, root, stem and fruits, stem girth) of the plant. Leaf area and fruit production were also impacted. Nutritional analysis of the leaves revealed a decline with increasing acidity levels. Simulated acid rain induced morphological changes such chlorosis, necrosis, early leaf senescence, leaf abscission and death. The reduction in growth parameters were concentration dependent. The most negative effects of simulated acid rain on the plant growth parameters and nutrient content analysis were observed in pH 2.0 treatment.

Does Acid Rain Alter the Leaf Anatomy and Photosynthetic Pigments in Urban Trees?

“…Acid rain generally slows plant growth by generating abnormalities in plant metabolism such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, nitrogen metabolism, and production of reactive oxygen species. Inversely, there are also exceptional cases of growth promotion [ 1 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Anatomically, acid rain can produce alterations of the cuticle thickness [ 28 , 29 ], cellular deformation and occlusion of stomatal cells, loss of trichomes in the epidermis, cell collapse in the mesophyll, and the formation of scar tissue [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Simulated Acid Rain-induced Alterations in Flowering, Leaf Abscission and Pollen Germination in Sunflower (<i>Helianthus annuus</i> L.)

“…Verma et al (2010) observed decreased growth and fruiting in three crops (Capsicum annuum, Lycopersicum esculentum and Solanum melongena) upon exposure to simulated acid rain (SAR). In a recent study on Capsicum annuum L., SAR with increased acidity levels has been shown to cause negative effects on the growth and exposure to SAR at pH 4 and below drastically suppressed growth characteristics (Bamidele and Eguagie, 2015). The present study aimed to assess the impact of simulated acid rain of different pH on budding, flowering, leaf abscission and pollen germination in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., Family-Asteraceae), an important annual herbaceous oilseed and ornamental crop.…”