The joint action of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen fluoride on the yield and quality of wheat and barley

Abstract

The effects of joint action of SO 2 and HF on the yield and quality of wheat and barley were studied by exposing them to combinations of < 13, 130 or 267 μg m −3 SO 2 and 0·03 or 0·38 μg m −3 HF in open top chambers for 90 days. At the concentrations used, SO 2 had greater effects than HF. All responses were marked by compensatory changes. The treatments had no effect on wheat yield, although SO 2 reduced shoot weight. SO 2 increased the growth and yield of barley, and HF or SO 2 increased the grain protein concentration of barley and wheat. The effects of mixtures of SO 2 and HF were complex, but often antagonistic, as the addition of HF counteracted the effect of SO 2 alone.