Differences in ozone sensitivity in three varieties of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) in the rural Mediterranean area

Summary The effects of air quality with three levels of ozone (O 3 ) were studied on three cabbage varieties during a one month exposure period in the Valencia area by means of modulated chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, lipid peroxidation and solute leakage. Increasing O 3 exposure reduced the maximum quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F v /F m ) in line with a reduction in non-cyclic electron flow (ϕ PSII ), lower capacity to reduce the quinone pool (q P ) and a decrease in the potential phothosynthetic quantum conversion, Rfd ratio. These reductions were more evident in Caramba and Sentinel varieties but lower in Othelo. Ozone and its oxidative derivates weakened the plasmalemma, whic…