Abstract
We investigated the changes in the physiological and biochemical properties of potato plants exposed to differing ozone (O3) concentrations (5 ppm, 10 ppm) and exposure times (2, 4, 8, 12, 16 min) to determine the safe dose that could be used in crop protection programs. We measured the gas exchange, relative chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence and total antioxidant capacity in potato leaves exposed to O3 fumigation. The fresh weight (FW) of the aboveground part of the plants and a visual assessment of plant condition were determined after the end of the experiment. The plants were given two O3 treatments and measurements were carried out four times: on the 1st and 7th day after treatment. We conclude that O3 exposure time had a greater impact on the reduction in the efficiency of the potato photosynthetic apparatus than O3 concentration. Research has showed that O3 in 5 ppm concentration for 2 and 4 min and 10 ppm for 2 min increased the efficiency of the photosynthesis and antioxidant activity in leaf processes, and these doses could be taken into account in further research on the potential for using O3 in potato protection.
Highlights
Potatoes are the third most important crop in the world after wheat and rice, with an area of over 17.5 million hectares [1]
A significant influence of various O3 concentrations and exposure times on the parameters of gas exchange in the leaves of potato plants was observed at each measurement time (Figure 1, Table S1)
On the 1st day after each fumigation (T1, T3), a significant decrease was found in net photosynthetic rate (PN ), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance values as a result of longer exposure times, regardless of the O3 concentration
Summary
Potatoes are the third most important crop in the world after wheat and rice, with an area of over 17.5 million hectares [1]. Chemical plant protection products are usually used to protect potato plants against diseases. The primary purpose of ozonation is microbial decontamination due to its strong biocidal effect. Today, it is mainly used for the decontamination of raw materials and food products, as well as surface disinfection of equipment [7,8,9,10,11], and it increases the profitability of production by reducing losses during trading. From a food safety point of view, it is important that O3 rapidly degrades to oxygen and leaves no residue so that it is safe and the ozonated product is suitable for food destined to be certified as organic food [6]
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