Does elevated ozone have differing effects in flowering and deblossomed strawberry?

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Ozone is a significant air pollutant impacting plant physiology.
• Strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) is a commercially important crop susceptible to environmental stressors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of ozone on strawberry plant development and physiology.
• To compare responses between fruiting and deblossomed plants under ozone stress.

Main Methods:

• Strawberry plants were exposed to 92 ppb ozone or filtered air in open-top chambers for 69 days.
• Evaluated flower and fruit production, leaf area growth rate, gas exchange, and biomass.
• Distinguished between fruiting and deblossomed plant groups.

Main Results:

• Ozone initially accelerated inflorescence production but later reduced it, along with fruit set and individual fruit weight.
• Leaf senescence was accelerated, and photosynthesis rates decreased, particularly in older leaves.
• Relative leaf area growth rate and above-ground biomass were significantly reduced in fruiting plants but not in deblossomed plants.

Conclusions:

• Ozone exposure negatively affects key physiological and developmental processes in strawberry plants.
• Fruiting plants exhibit greater sensitivity to ozone-induced reductions in growth and biomass.
• While short-term yield may not be impacted, ozone poses a significant threat to strawberry crop health and productivity.