Ozone Injury of Legume Vegetables
Return to abiotic disorders
Ozone injury symptoms appear as small necrotic spots on the upper leaf surface. Spots may eventually coalesce, giving leaves a reddish-brown or bronzed coloration. Severely affected plants may defoliate prematurely, which ultimately affects yield and quality. While other air contaminants may affect legumes, ozone is the pollutant most likely encountered. Ozone pollution is produced by the burning of fossil fuels (e.g., diesel engines or power plants) and is also a byproduct of lightning.
Ozone injury.
(Photo: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnical State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org)