Photochemical oxidants: effect on starch hydrolysis in leaves.

Starch-filled leaves of plants which have been subjected to low dosages of naturally occurring photochemical oxidants, ozone, or peroxyacetyl nitrate hydrolyze their starch more slowly when placed in the dark. Delayed hydrolysis occurs irrespective of whether the oxidants were applied during the light or dark period. Occasionally this effect is evident only in the intervenal areas.