Approaches to investigate crop responses to ozone pollution: from O3-FACE to satellite-enabled modeling

Authors: Montes, Christopher; DEMLER, HANNA - University Of Illinois; LI, SHUAI - University Of Illinois; MARTIN, DUNCAN - University Of Illinois; Ainsworth, Elizabeth - Lisa

Submitted to: Plant Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/18/2021
Publication Date: 9/23/2021
Citation: Montes, C.M., Demler, H.J., Li, S., Martin, D.G., Ainsworth, E.A. 2021. Approaches to investigate crop responses to ozone pollution: from O3-FACE to satellite-enabled modeling. Plant Journal. 109(2):432-446. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15501.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.15501

Interpretive Summary: Ground level ozone pollution is damaging to crops. It enters leaves through pores on the surface and rapidly forms other more damaging reactive oxygen molecules, which in turn reduce photosynthesis and growth, accelerate the process of senescence and decrease crop yields. Scientists have used open-air field facilities to study how ozone pollution affects crops, and this review describes the global ozone field facilities and lessons learned from those studies. We also discuss the need to study ozone in combination with other climate changes, including rising temperatures and drought stress.

Technical Abstract: Ozone (O3) is a damaging air pollutant to crops. As one of the most reactive oxidants known, O3 rapidly forms other reactive oxygen species (ROS) once it enters leaves through stomata. Those ROS in turn can cause oxidative stress, reduced photosynthesis, accelerated senescence and decreased crop yield. To improve and adapt our feed, fuel, and food supply to rising O3 pollution, a number of Free Air Concentration Enrichment (O3-FACE) facilities have been developed around the world and have studied key staple crops. In this review, we will provide an overview of the FACE facilities and highlight some of the lessons learned from the last two decades of research. We discuss the differences between C3 and C4 crop responses to elevated O3, the possible trade-off between productivity and protection, genetic variation in O3 response within and across species, and how we might leverage this observed variation for crop improvement. We also highlight the need to improve understanding of the interaction between rising O3 pollution and other climate changes, notably drought. Finally, we propose the use of globally modeled O3 data that is available at increasing spatial and temporal resolutions to expand upon the research conducted at the limited number of global O3-FACE facilities.