Effects of Atmospheric Fluoride on the Respiration Rate of Bush Bean and Gladiolus Leaves.

Abstract

The fumigation of bush bean plants with 30 ppb atmospheric fluoride for 8 days resulted in increased leaf respiration measured manometrically. Middle-aged and old leaves showed a greater increase in respiration than did young leaves. The chlorotic tissue of gladiolus leaves fumigated at 2.4 ppb fluoride exhibited a much higher respiration rate than the control. Green tissue from the same plants had respiratory rates only slightly above that of non-fumigated leaves. Lime sprays prevented fluoride damage to gladiolus leaves and did not affect their rate of respiration.