Effects of ozone on birch (Betula pendula Roth.) clones

Saplings of five birch clones (Betula pendula Roth.) were exposed to ozone doses 1.2-1.7 x higher than the ambient under field conditions during growing seasons 1991-1993. The clones were also fumigated with 40 ppb - 150 ppb ozone in three chamber experiments. The effects of nitrogen supply on ozone responses were studied using field fumigation system and three levels of nitrogen supply (low, medium, high). The ozone-sensitivity was clone-specific. Even low ozone exposure decreased the biomass production of the most sensitive clone, whereas the most tolerant clone showed unaffected growth rate. In all clones, ozone fumigation accelerated autumn senescence of leaves, increased ultrastructural injuries, especially in chloroplasts, and increased diffusion resistance and stomatal density of leaves. Ozone-induced changes in the tissue and fine structure of leaves were interpreted as enhanced senescence. The plants receiving high nitrogen supply were more resistant to ozone than the plants under lower nitrogen availability. Significant interactions between ozone and nitrogen supply were found in growth and leaf anatomical parameters. The ozone sensitivity and the growth rate of birch clones seem to be related to biochemical and ultrastructural changes of chloroplasts, as reduced growth rate of the most sensitive clone was accompanied by lower contents of Rubisco small subunit and chlorophyll, and lower net photosynthesis. Fast enlarging and young mature leaves without acclimation were more sensitive to ozone fumigation than the leaves emerging under ozone stress.