Objective
TO DETERMINE THE SUBTLE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS, ON ENZYMATIC REACTIONS AND METABOLISM CHANGES, OF AIR POLLUTANTS AND TO SET UP BIOCHEMICAL TESTS FOR EARLY INJURY.
PREVIOUS STUDIES SHOWED THAT, AT VERY LOW CONCENTRATIONS, SO2 CAN INITIATE ENZYMATIC RESPONSES IN PLANTS SIMILAR TO THOSE PROVOKED BY DROUGHT OR SALT WATER. THIS CONTRACT WILL LOOK AT THE GENERAL PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS IN BEANS EXPOSED IN CONTROLLED CONDITIONS TO MINUTE CONCENTRATIONS OF SO2 TO UNDERSTAND THE CHANGES OCCURRING IN THE CELLS AND THE PLANT METABOLISM. OTHER BEAN PLANTS WILL BE EXPOSED TO SO2 IN THE FIELD CONDITIONS TO COMPARE THE RESULTS AND TO EVALUATE THE SUBNECROTIC DAMAGES TO THE PLANT (REDUCTION OF GROWTH). BIOCHEMICAL TESTS FOR EARLY INDICATION OF PLANT INJURY AFTER EXPOSURE TO SO2 SHOULD BE DEVISED.