The Influence of Sulfur Dioxide Concentration on Growth of Potted White Birch and Pin Oak Seedlings in the Field1

Abstract

Abstract Potted seedlings of white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) and pin oak (Quercus palustris Muenchh.) were grown in the field for 3 months in relatively high- and low-ambient sulfur dioxide air. Biweekly throughout the growing season, plants from each site were harvested, and height and leaf, stem, and root dry weight were measured. The overall growth of white birch, an SO2-sensitive species, was found to be greater in the higher, but sub-phytotoxic SO2 environment. Conversely, the growth of pin oak, an SO2-tolerant species, was greater at the low SO2 site.