EFFECT OF ROAD DE-ICING SALTS WITH ANTI CORROSION AGENTS ON SELECTED PLANT SPECIES

Abstract

The effect of CaCl2 and NaCl with anti-corrosion additives (ammonium phosphate and sodium hypochlorite in amount of 3 to 5% of preparation weight), protected by Polish patent no. 198058, applied in concentrations of 4, 8 and 12 g dm-3 on germination and seedling vigour of Lolium perenne L. cv. Solen and Festuca rubra L. cv. Nimba was evaluated. Other studied parameters were: chlorophyll content, chlophyll a fluorescence and biomass accumulation in Canna × generalis, Rosa rugosa L. and Lolium perenne L. under the influence of the above mentioned substances. It was found that application of de-icing substances delayed and reduced germination of grass seedlings and declined root growth. Red fescue was less tolerant for increased salinity in soil than perennial ryegrass. Application of de-icing substances on rugosa rose, canna lilly and perennial ryegrass plants led to decrease of chlorophyll content, potential photochemical efficiency, performance index and biomass accumulation. Without anticorrosion agents the least toxic was calcium chloride and the most sodium chloride. Additives to de-icing road salts, in general, decreased NaCl toxicity and increased toxicity of CaCl2.

Keywords

• NaCl
• CaCl2
• anticorrosion agents
• germination
• biomass accumulation
• chlorophyll a fluorescence