Ethylenediurea protects against ozone phytotoxicity not by adding nitrogen or controlling stomata in a stomata-unresponsive hybrid poplar

The combined application of ethylenediurea and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviates ozone damage to Medicago sativa L

“…On the contrary, a study involving the application of urea solution with the same N concentration as EDU solution to tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaves found no reduction in O 3 -induced leaf injury compared to the control (Godzik and Manning, 1998). Additionally, research on poplar trees indicated that applying an equivalent amount of N fertilizer as EDU treatment did not provide O 3 injury protection (Agathokleous et al, 2023). These pieces of evidence collectively suggest that the N addition effect resulting from EDU application might not be the underlying mechanism for alleviating O 3 damage.…”

“…However, this perspective remains open for further consideration. Certain studies on poplar demonstrated that N addition did not enhance the O 3 resistance of plants (Shang et al, 2021;Agathokleous et al, 2023). Furthermore, a study combining the results of 273 experiments indicated that N addition did not influence the O 3 sensitivity of plants (Feng et al, 2019b), casting doubt on the notion that N addition reduces plant O 3 sensitivity.…”

Interview with Prof. Evgenios Agathokleous, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), China

“…In the realm of hormesis, my research journey encompasses both specialized experimental investigations and comprehensive multidisciplinary efforts to illuminate this phenomenon from all conceivable angles. While my experimental focus has primarily been on understanding the mechanisms and applied significance of exogenous chemical effects on plants under ozone stress (Agathokleous, Kitao, et al, 2022; Agathokleous, Kitao, et al, 2023), my contributions extend far beyond these boundaries.…”