Residual Air Pollution Effects on Soybean Seed Quality. R. K. Howell, Plant Pathologist, Plant Stress Laboratory, Plant Physiology Institute, AR, SEA, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705. L. P. Rose, Jr., Horticulturist, Plant Stress Laboratory, Plant Physiology Institute, AR, SEA, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705. Plant Dis. 64:385-386. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1980. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-385.

The secondary or subsequent effects of air pollution on the percent seed germination and on the chemical composition of seeds derived from ozone-treated plants has not been reported. Our objectives were to determine if ambient ozone influences: 1) seed germination and 2) percentages of oil and protein in soybean seed (Glycine max). Seed sources were from soybeans grown in open-top field chambers with carbon-filtered air, in unfiltered air chambers, or in nonchambered plots. Percent oil and percent protein were determined by A.O.A.C. procedures 7.044 and 7.016, respectively. Seed germination was ascertained by standard seed test methods. Percent seed germination was statistically the same for seed produced in filtered and unfiltered air chambers; percent seed protein was significantly greater in seed produced in unfiltered air than in filtered air, but percent oil was significantly higher in seed produced in filtered air. Plants grown in nonchambered plots produced seed that had significantly lower germination but had protein contents similar to seed produced on plants from chambered plots. Percent oil in seed from nonchamber-grown plants was significantly lower than in seed of plants from carbon-filtered air but was statistically the same in seed produced in unfiltered air. Stressing seed by chilling lowered percent seed germination by nearly 5%. Variations in parameters investigated were more influenced by years than by environments.