Effects of Tropospheric Ozone (O3) on Yield and Nutritional Quality of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata Cv. MN 98): Evidence from Pakistan

The effects of ambient ozone concentrations on the yield and nutritional quality of Mung bean (MN-98) grown in Northern Pakistan was assessed using EDU. Passive samplers results revealed that ozone was significantly lower (24.2 ppb) in April compared to May, June (49 ppb). The mean pods number/plants, length/plant, and biomass of both fresh and dry weight of EDU and NEDU treated plants were all significantly not different. The mean biomass for EDU leaves was (4.0 g) and significantly reduced compared to NEDU (2.8 g). The mean root length and shoot biomass of EDU plants compared to NEDU treated plants remained unchanged. However, the total biomass of EDU plants were significantly higher (10.0 g) compared to NEDU (7.3 g). The overall plant biomass was 30% significantly higher than N-EDU plants. The nutritional quality parameters (Ash, Moisture, Fats, Fiber and Protein) reduced significantly in NEDU seeds compared to EDU. The %moisture contents of seeds was (F=0.017; p<0.05), %Ash (F=3.987; p<0.05), %Protein (F=3.467; p<0.05) %Fats (F=2.574; p<0.05), %Fiber content was positively affected by EDU treatment. It was concluded that ozone is directly affecting the growth and quality of summer crops grown in Pakistan that can affect the future food security of the region.