The effect of a continuous springtime fumigation with SO2 on CO2 uptake and structure of the annual ring in spruce

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Abstract
Potted grafts of old spruces (Piceaabies (L.) Karst.) were continuously fumigated with SO2 (contro1, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 ppm) in outdoor fumigation chambers. SO2 concentrations were maintained for 10 weeks from late in April till early in July 1976. CO2 uptake was measured periodically under standardized laboratory conditions with an infrared gas analyzer. After fumigation, the plants remained in the nursery till November 1977. Afterwards, stem slices were taken for X-ray measurements of both ring width and wood density. An arbitrary density of 0.5 g cm−3 was chosen to distinguish early wood from late wood. CO2 uptake was depressed significantly before visible symptoms of injury appeared. The relative CO2 uptake in the 7th to 10th week of fumigation and the number of cells in a radial file of the annual ring were well correlated. With increasing SO2 concentration, the width of the annual ring decreased. The amount and density of late wood was reduced by a springtime fumigation. A distinct decline of wood production with increasing SO2 concentration was also found in cases where no visible injury occurred.

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