Cuttings of two clones of Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst.,
were exposed to three different ozone
concentrations in open-top chambers during four months in the
summer of 1990. The treatments were charcoal-filtered air, non-filtered air
and non-filtered air with extra ozone (c. 30 ppb) added daily between
1100–1800 local
time. During the last 4 wk of the exposure period, half the seedlings
were drought-stressed, while the remainder
were well watered. Biomass, gas exchange and water potential were measured
during the drought stress period.
The ozone treatments affected the two clones very differently. High
ozone reduced the rate of biomass increase
in the faster-growing clone (clone M) whereas ozone generally stimulated
the rate of biomass increase in the
slower-growing clone (clone L). At the end of the measuring period, the
high-ozone treatments reduced the rate
of root biomass increase of the well watered seedlings of the M-clone,
but it had no effect on the drought-stressed
seedlings of the same clone, probably because the root growth was already
to a large extent inhibited by the drought stress.
The treatment with the highest concentration of ozone partly protected
the seedlings of the M clone against the
drought stress, presumably by delaying shoot growth and thus delaying
the increase in the total transpiring needle
area. As a result, stomata tended to close less during the drought
period in this treatment.
The results are discussed in relation to the suggested critical
level for ozone effects on trees.