Ambient ozone and two black gram cultivars: an assessment of amelioration by the use of ethylenediurea

Ethylenediurea (EDU) was applied as soil drench in two Indian cultivars of black gram (Vigna mungo L. cv. Azad-1 and BHU-1) and its ameliorating effect against ozone (O₃) stress was studied on selected growth, physiological, biochemical, and yield characteristics. The study site experienced a high O₃ concentration of 41.3–59.9 ppb during the experimental period. It was found that growth parameters showed positive impact on plants treated with EDU and yield attributes were also higher than that of non-EDU-treated ones. Significant increments in ascorbic acid and protein contents were observed in EDU-treated plants as compared to control plants. Lipid peroxidation, however, showed a reverse trend in both the cultivars. Photosynthetic efficiency increased by EDU treatment as depicted by higher values for photosynthetic rate (Ps) and Fv/Fm ratio. EDU-treated plants had more efficient antioxidant enzyme defense system with higher SOD and POX activities. Both the cultivars showed differential response against O₃ and cultivar BHU-1 proved to be resistant as compared to Azad-1. This investigation proves the usefulness of EDU as a biomonitoring tool against O₃ for the remote areas having higher concentrations of O₃ and problem of frequent electricity failure.