Economic impact of air pollution on vegetation in New Jersey and an interpretation of its annual variability

Abstract

New Jersey sustained a $128,019 loss to agricultural crops and ornamental plantings as a direct result of air pollution damage in 1972. The loss was only 11% of that estimated for the previous year by a similar method. Air pollutant concentrations did not decrease from 1971 to 1972 in the agricultural regions of the state during the growing season. Therefore an explanation for the reduction in plant damage was sought in a consideration of several environmental factors that have been known to increase plant resistance to a given dosage of a pollutant in greenhouse experiments. Primarily, the unusual rainfall pattern in 1972 could have induced a water and/or oxygen stress in the plants in the field that protected them from air pollution injury. Other factors, such as temperature, humidity, nutrition, the presence of disease and the use of systemic fungicides, may also have enhanced plant resistance to air pollutants.