Sensitivity and Growth of Five Elatior Begonia Cultivars to SO2 and O3, Alone and in Combination1

Abstract

Abstract The effect of SO2 (0.5 ppm) and O3 (0.25 ppm) were tested alone and in combination using 5 cultivars of Elatior begonia (Begonia × hiemalis Fotsch). ‘Schwabenland Red’ and ‘Whisper ‘0’ Pink’ were the most sensitive to O3 based on foliage and flower weight. ‘Fantasy’ was the most sensitive to SO2 and flower production was significantly reduced without visible injury at 0.5 ppm SO2. The only significant (SO2 × O3) interaction occurred with flower weight of ‘Schwabenland Red’, where the combined effect of the 2 pollutants was less than expected from the linear additive model.