Oxidative stress symptoms in Norway spruce needles (Picea abies L. Karst.)

Abstract

We observed the deformation level in mesophyll cells in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) needles displaying characteristic features of ozone damage. There were examined mesophyll cells under discoloured spots (zones) in epidermis and hypodermis. We evaluated modifications in their water potential as well as relative occurrence of healthy and damaged cells, and determined relation between healthy and diseased mesophyll cells expressed by the cell shape index indicating the degree of the damage.