Effectiveness of different EDU concentrations in ameliorating ozone stress in carrot plants

Ethylenediurea (EDU) is suggested for use to evaluate plant response under ambient ozone (O3) concentrations. Four EDU treatments, viz. 0 (non-EDU), 150, 300 and 450 mg L-1, applied as soil drench at 10 days interval to carrot (Daucus carota L. var. Pusa Kesar), grown at a tropical suburban site of Varanasi experiencing mean O3 concentration of 36.1 ppb during the experimental period. EDU treated plants showed significantly higher antioxidative defense, assimilation capability and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation, which led to better growth and significant yield increments compared to non-EDU treated ones. The magnitude of positive responses was highest at 150 mg L-1 EDU treatment at 60 DAG, representing the metabolically most active phase of root filling in carrot. This study suggests that the lowest EDU concentration was sufficient to provide protection against negative effects of O3.