Quillaja saponaria Mol. en un escenario de elevada contaminación atmosférica y bajo dos diferentes condiciones de riego

Abstract

Abstract: The primary aim of this research study is to assess the effect of diesel vehicles’ high gases and particulate matter emissions on Quillaja saponaria Mol.’s (Quillay) photosystem II (Fv/FmPD) maximum quantum performance at pre-dawn. Q. saponaria is the most common native tree species in Santiago’s (Chile) urban area. Young Q. saponaria individuals are assessed in a growth chamber under two different irrigation conditions. The results show that plants with restricted irrigation (-30 bars on average) resist coarse particulate matter better and have significantly higher Fv/FmPD values than plants without restricted irrigation (-8 bars on average). Carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone emissions reduced Fv/FmPD significantly in irrigated plants, including plants with restricted irrigation. It is concluded that Fv/FmPD is more affected by pollutants in plants without restricted irrigation than in plants with restricted irrigation.