Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata L.) response to ozone and ethylenediurea (EDU).

Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata L.) seedlings were placed into open-top chambers in May, 2004 and fumigated for 12 wks. Nine chambers were fumigated with either carbon-filtered air (CF), non-filtered air (NF) or twice-ambient (2x) ozone (O(3)). Ethylenediurea (EDU) was applied as a foliar spray weekly at 0 (control), 200, 400 or 600 ppm. Foliar injury occurred at ambient (30%) and elevated O(3) (100%). Elevated O(3) resulted in significant decreases in biomass and nutritive quality. Ethylenediurea reduced percent of leaves injured, but decreased root and total biomass. Foliar concentrations of cell-wall constituents were not affected by EDU alone; however, EDUxO(3) interactions were observed for total cell-wall constituents and lignocellulose fraction. Our results demonstrated that O(3) altered the physiology and productivity of cutleaf coneflower, and although reducing visible injury EDU may be phytotoxic at higher concentrations.