MORPHOGENIC CHANGES IN EUCALYPTUS-GOMPHOCEPHALA EXPOSED TO SO2

Eucalyptus gomphocephala plants were continuously exposed to SO2 (<13, 110 or 303 μg/m3) for 126 days in open top chambers when the plants were 18 months old. Plants exposed to 303 μg/m3 grew taller without an increase in above-ground plant weight, had thinner stems and leaves, and more chlorophyll in healthy leaves than control plants. The morphogenic effects which resulted in elongated growth may be the result of compensatory responses expressed as a change in assimilate allocation, or a disruption of metabolism at stem apices. © 1990.