Pollutants
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Pollutants, such as ethylene, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, can cause plant injury that may be confused with herbicide injury. These pollutants can be generated by wood-fired boilers or natural gas/propane heaters. When heaters are used in protected structures, gases can build-up to damaging levels. Pollutants can also enter from exterior boilers as well. Symptoms of ethylene injury include distortion, yellowing, stunting, and flower/bud abortion. Other pollutants can cause flecking (typical of ozone injury) and/or burning of leaves and fruit.
Pollutants from heater causing damage to tomato plants.
(Photo: Jaime C. Pinero, Lincoln University, Bugwood.org)
Management:
- Regularly inspect heaters and maintain them in good working condition.
- Make sure heaters exhaust properly so pollutants are not trapped in structures.
