Physiological effects of long‐term exposure to low and moderate concentrations of atmospheric NH₃ on poplar leaves

Abstract

Abstract. Poplar shoots (Populus euramericana L.) obtained from cuttings were exposed for 6 or 8 weeks to NH3 concentrations of 50 and 100 μgm−3 or filtered air in fumigation chambers. After this exposure the rates of NH3 uptake, transpiration, CO2 assimilation and respiration of leaves were measured using a leaf chamber. During the long‐term exposure also modulated chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were carried out to obtain information about the photosynthetic performance of individual leaves. Both fluorescence and leaf chamber measurements showed a higher photosynthetic activity of leaves exposed to 100 μg NH3 m−3. These leaves showed also a larger leaf conductance and a larger uptake rate of NH3 than leaves exposed to 50 μg m−3 NH3 or filtered air. The long‐term NH3 exposure did not induce an internal resistance against NH3 transport in the leaf, nor did it affect the leaf cuticle. So, not only at a short time exposure, but also at a long‐term exposure NH3 uptake into leaves can be calculated from data on the boundary layer and stomatal resistance for H2O and ambient NH3‐concentration. Furthermore, the NH3 exposure had no effect on the relation between CO2‐assimilation and stomatal conductance, indicating that NH3 in concentrations up to 100 μg m−3 has no direct effect on stomatal behaviour; for example, by affecting the guard or contiguous cells of the stomata.