EN
Effect of exogenous application of ascorbic acid (Asc) solution was examined on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical and yield characteristics of mung bean cultivars against ozone (O₃). Experiment was performed on six mung bean cultivars in open top chambers under field conditions and Asc was applied as foliar spray prior to the exposure of ambient (AO+) and elevated (EO+) levels of O₃. Application of Asc showed increment in growth attributes as compared to plants not provided Asc (AO). However, O₃ induced the production of reactive oxygen species led to membrane damage. Reductions were depicted in lipid peroxidation, solute leakage and foliar injury % in AO+ and EO+ as compared to plants not provided with Asc. Photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid content along with activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (APX, CAT, GR and SOD) showed increments in AO+ and EO+ with cultivar-specific variations. Cultivars HUM1 and HUM-2 restored yield with Asc application while less response was observed in other test cultivars. Quality of the seeds was also affected by Asc treatment in the plants exposed to ambient and elevated levels of O₃. Therefore, exogenous application of Asc promotes plant’s performance by providing protection against O₃ induced oxidative stress and may be used in screening of the mung bean cultivars against O₃ phytotoxicity.