Impact of ambient ozone pollution on yield attributes of Pisum sativum L. plants by using ethylenediurea

Abstract

Ozone (O3) is widespread secondary photochemical air pollutant, which occurs naturally at ground level in low concentration and is regarded the most significant air toxicant throughout the world. Current research was conducted to evaluate the potential of ethylenediurea (EDU) on yield of two pea cultivars (Meteor and Sprinter). Pisum sativum L. plants were exposed to O3 stress using two methods i.e., soil drench and foliar spray application, during two consecutive years. The monthly mean concentration of O3 during the experimental period varied between 29.4 and 60.7 ppb. Ozone stress reduced yield characteristics of P. sativum. Application of EDU enhanced yield parameters (no of pods, pod weight, number of seeds and straw weight) of P. sativum. Application of EDU concentration of 450 ppm via soil drenching significantly enhanced yield parameters of P. sativum. Current research reveals that EDU ameliorates the deleterious O3 effects on pea crop and it can be used as an effective tool to investigate agricultural crop reductions due to higher O3 concentration.