Effects of simulated acid rain on fertility of litchi

Article type: Research Article

Authors: QIU, Dong-liang | LIU, Xing-hui | GUO, Su-zhi

Affiliations: College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: qiudl1970@hotmail.com

Abstract: The regulatory role of calcium in fertility of pollen and pistil under simulated acid rein was investigated. The germination percentage of pollen treated with acid rain of pH 4.5 was 9.42% lower than that of control, and that of pH 3.5, pH 2.5 and pH 1.5 were 22.47%, 45.49% and 71.62%, respectively. Simultaneously, the injury character of pollen was obviously observed when flowers were treated with acid rain of pH 3.5. The difference in fruit setting rate between the female flower treated with acid rain of pH 4.0 and the control was significant at p<0.05. Ca(NO_3)_2 of 0.2–0.4 mmol/L could promote pollen germination under the stress of acid rain. The beneficial function was reduced when calcium concentration surpassed 0.8 mmol/L. Spraying 2 mmol/L Ca(NO_3)_2 reduced the injury of acid rain to pistil and increased fruit-setting rate significantly. The physiological importance of calcium during pollen germination and pistil development was also discussed.

Keywords: simulated acid rain, litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), pollen, pistil, fruit-setting, ultrastructure

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 1034-1037, 2005