AIR POLLUTION AT THE “COPENHAGEN VEGETABLE MARKET” AFFECTING FLOWERING POTTED PLANTS

The keeping of twelve species of potted plants were studied in polluted air of the Market Hall versus clean air.

The most sensitive species of Begonia lost flowers after only two days keeping in polluted air, while retaining all flowers for five days, and most flowers for 11 days, in clean air.
After 11 days keeping in the market hall air, all species of Begonia, Pelargonium, Kalanchoë, Calceolaria, Schefflera, Beloperone and Hedera (except Hedera helix) were unsaleable.
Plants in clean air were unaffected.

Ethylene concentration in the market hall was sufficient to explain the observed loss of leaves and flowers, but also the nitric oxide level was critical.

Symposium on CO2 Enrichment

H. Saxe

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1984.162.33