Particulate matter accumulation – further differences between native Prunus padusand non-native P. serotina

Abstract

Particulate matter accumulation -further differences between native Prunus padus and non-native P. serotina Received: 14 April 2017; Accepted: 23 June 2017 Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most harmful inhaled pollutants. Where pollutants have been emitted into the atmosphere, the most effective method for cleaning the air is through phytoremediation, whereby plants act as biological filters. PM has a negative impact on plants, but knowledge of PM effects on the photosynthetic apparatus is limited. In European forests, species of the genus Prunus L. play a key role in the composition of the forest understory and urban as well as industrial plantings. Shrubs of the native P. padus L. and closely-related invasive alien P. serotina Ehrh. are particularly widespread. Thus, both are good model species in which to study the impact of PM pollution. The aim of this study was to assess the accumulation of PM in the context of leaf morphology and amount of epicuticular waxes on foliage, and the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus of P. padus and P. serotina. The study was conducted under controlled conditions using two variants of dust, cement and roadside PM. In addition, we analyzed the absorption of dust by leaves dividing it into three fractions by size (10−100 µm, 2.5−10 µm and 0.2−2.5 µm). Results showed that both P. padus and P. serotina accumulate PM mostly on the surface of their leaves ( S PM), rather than in the wax layer ( W PM). P. padus accumulated higher amounts of PM than did P. serotina. The higher presence of PM on leaves of P. padus resulted in a reduction of the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus, manifested by lower rates of photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence, coinciding with an increased stomatal resistance. A strong negative correlation was found between the amount of PM accumulation and the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus in P. padus, but not in P. serotina. We have concluded that alien P. serotina is more tolerant to the conditions of stress caused by PM pollution than is the native P. padus, which may partly explain its success in the invasion in Europe.

Influence of Particulate Matter Accumulation on Photosynthetic Apparatus of Physocarpus opulifolius and Sorbaria sorbifolia

“…In both species, PM was found both on the surface ( S PM) and in-wax ( W PM). Similar to results of other studies [6,[14][15], the amount of S PM on both species was higher than W PM. In nature, S PM can be washed off foliage by rain or blown away by strong wind, whereas W PM is more important for phytoremediation because particles can stick to the surface or penetrate the wax layer and be phytostabilized [21].…”

“…In this case, however, both fractions from P. opulifolius had higher levels of cement PM than of the other two types of PM. The phytoremediation of these two PM fractions, especially in highly polluted areas, is gaining much attention because it can contribute to an improvement in the health of both people [4] and plants [6].…”

“…serve as natural bio-filters for PM [5][6]. Unfortunately, PM particles also have harmful effects on plants [7][8][9].…”

Particulate matter on two Prunus spp. decreases survival and performance of the folivorous beetle Gonioctena quinquepunctata

“…It can also be increased by the presence of epicuticular waxes, in which PM can become stuck or immersed (Dzierżanowski et al 2011 ; Leonard et al 2016 ). The presence of PM on leaves has an adverse effect on plants, mainly by limiting the amount of light reaching the mesophyll, which is reflected in a decline in the efficiency of photosynthesis (Przybysz et al 2014 ; Saadullah et al 2014 ; Popek et al 2017b ). Moreover, PM may clog the respiratory tract and even penetrate the plant tissues (Burkhardt and Grantz 2016 ).…”

“…The leaf beetle and both plant species make good model systems with which to study the impact of PM pollution, as well as the interaction of native and non-native plant species from the perspective of accumulation and the response of herbivores to PM pollution. Their leaves are known to attract PM present in the air and can curtail atmospheric air pollution, especially in urban environments (Popek et al 2017b ). Differences in the morphology of both species’ leaves, however, may potentially explain the higher accumulation of PM on the foliage of P. padus (Danielewicz and Wiatrowska 2013 ; Popek et al 2017b ).…”