Ozone uptake (flux) as it relates to ozone-induced foliar symptoms of Prunus serotina and Populus maximowizii x trichocarpa

Ozone flux for seedlings of pre-determined ozone-sensitive black cherry and ramets of hybrid poplar was estimated. A linear model was developed to estimate the influence of local environmental conditions on stomatal conductance. Plant responses to ozone were highly dependent upon ozone flux into the plant. Although plant response to ozone was highly related to ozone uptake/flux, many other influencing factors created considerable difficulties in determining a direct cause/effect relationship between ozone uptake and foliar symptoms. The direct cause/effect relationship between ozone uptake and ozone-induced injury could not be completely understood without considering plant defense mechanisms. The results demonstrated that as the precursors of ozone air pollution were controlled, the resulting lower ozone exposures would result in less ozone-induced injury.