Effects of simulated acid rain on germination, foliar damage, chlorophyll contents and seedling growth of five hardwood species growing in China

Seeds and seedlings of five hardwood species were subjected to a simulated acid rain adjusted to pH values of 2.0, 3.5, 5.0, 6.0, and to distilled water (the control). Seed germination was remarkably inhibited by pH 2.0 treatment for three species. Significant foliar damage, decline in chlorophyll contents, and retardation of growth for the seedlings of all the species, were observed at pH 2.0; while seedling growth was stimulated at pH levels between 3.5 and 5.0. The pH 2.0 treatment seemed to be a threshold level for inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth for all the treated species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.