Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds Emission of Brazilian Atlantic Tree Grown Under Elevated Ozone in Ambient Controlled and Field Conditions.

Croton floribundus (L.) Spreng trees were exposed to accumulated ozone (O3) levels under laboratory and field conditions and monitored the foliar visible symptoms and BVOC emissions. Plants exposed to O3 in the laboratory presented more substantial damage and significant increase in the BVOC emissions than plants in the field. Caryophyllene and 3-hexen-1-ol emissions were significantly increased in plants exposed to O3 in the laboratory. Under field conditions, methyl salicylate (MeSA) was the majority compound emitted. A positive correlation among the meteorological conditions, O3 and MeSA emission was observed in the field conditions, which may represent a mechanism of tolerance by C. floribundus to deal with long-term exposure to O3.

Volatile organic compounds and nitric oxide as responses of a Brazilian tropical species to ozone: the emission profile of young and mature leaves.

The emission profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitric oxide (NO) in young and mature leaves of Croton floribundus was assessed in plants exposed to filtered air (FA) and ozone-enriched filtered air (FA+O3). After the period of exposure, leaves were enclosed in polyethylene terephthalate bags and VOCs were collected in young and mature leaves. Both young and mature leaves constitutively emitted the same VOC, but the concentrations were higher in young leaves. O3 exposure induced the emission of sesquiterpenes (mainly ß-caryophyllene) known as antioxidant compounds that may scavenge O3. Young leaves were the highest emitters of sesquiterpenes. O3 induced a rapid accumulation of NO in different tissues and leaf developmental stages; this accumulation was marked in palisade and spongy parenchyma cells in young and mature leaves, respectively. O3 altered the levels of the signaling compound methyl salicylate (MeSA). Moreover, our data showed that NO together with VOC emissions, such as geranyl acetate, α-cadiene, trans-farnesol, cis-ß-farnesene, and MeSA, participate of plant defense mechanisms against the oxidative damage caused by O3.