Effects of ozone and drought stress on the physiology and growth of two clones of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Abstract

Cuttings of two clones of Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst., were exposed to three different ozone concentrations in open-top chambers during four months in the summer of 1990. The treatments were charcoal-filtered air, non-filtered air and non-filtered air with extra ozone (c. 30 ppb) added daily between 1100-1800 local time. During the last 4 wk of the exposure period, half the seedlings were drought-stressed, while the remainder were well watered. Biomass, gas exchange and water potential were measured during the drought stress period. The ozone treatments affected the two clones very differently. High ozone reduced the rate of biomass increase in the faster-growing clone (clone M) whereas ozone generally stimulated the rate of biomass increase in the slower-growing clone (clone L). At the end of the measuring period, the high-ozone treatments reduced the rate of root biomass increase of the well watered seedlings of the M-clone, but it had no effect on the drought-stressed seedlings of the same clone, probably because the root growth was already to a large extent inhibited by the drought stress. The treatment with the highest concentration of ozone partly protected the seedlings of the M clone against the drought stress, presumably by delaying shoot growth and thus delaying the increase in the total transpiring needle area. As a result, stomata tended to close less during the drought period in this treatment. The results are discussed in relation to the suggested critical level for ozone effects on trees.