Effects of Simulated Acid Rain on Pollination of Rice Plants

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of simulated acid rain of pH 3.0, 4.0 and 5.6 on pollen grain germination and yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants. Results indicated that direct exposure to acid rain of pH 3.0 and pH 4.0 acid rain reduced pollen grain germination by up to 30% and 10%, respectively. These alternations closely paralleled to decreasing in seed setting, number of spikelets per panicle and grain yield. When exposed to pH 5.6 acid rain, rate of pollen grain germination decreased, but the effect was not significant. Germination rate of pollen grown on agar medium at pH 4.0 was 54% of that grown on pH 5.6. At pH 3.0 the pollen graims almost did not germinate. The two rice varieties (Tainung 67 and Taichung sen 10) had similar pollen grain germination rate both in vivo and in vitro in response to acid rain.