NITROGEN OXIDES PRODUCED DURING CO2 ENRICHMENT

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Eight cultivars of Lycoperiscon esculentum (tomato) and six cultivars of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) were subjected to CO2-enriched air (1000 .mu.l l-1) containing 0.7 or 0.9 .mu.l l-1 nitrogen oxides (NOx). CO2 enrichment without NOx significantly increased the dry weight of all tomato (35-81%) and lettuce cultivars (25-101%). In six of the eight tomato cultivars the dry weight was reduced by the addition of NOx. The mean relative growth rate (RGR) decreased by 4-19% depending on the cultivar. This meant that the benefit of CO2 enrichment was almost completely eliminated in most of the cultivars. Marginal leaf necrosis appeared in some of the cultivars, while in others no visible injury developed. None of the lettuce cultivars was significantly affected by the addition of NOx.