Injury to plants due to ozone presents as which of the following symptoms?

Ozone injury in plants can manifest in several distinct ways, all of which are critical for identifying symptoms associated with this type of environmental stress. The correct answer encompasses the full range of these symptoms.

Flecks and stipples appear as small, discolored areas on the leaves, often resulting from ozone's impact on plant tissues and their functions. This symptom indicates localized damage where ozone has reacted with the leaf surface, leading to the degradation of chlorophyll and other essential compounds involved in photosynthesis.

Bleaching and tip burns are also characteristic of ozone exposure. Bleaching occurs when chlorophyll breakdown leads to loss of green color, and tip burns are often indicative of dehydration or nutrient mismanagement, exacerbated by ozone-induced stress. These symptoms show how ozone interferes with the plant’s ability to maintain healthy foliage.

Growth suppression, another symptom resulting from ozone exposure, indicates that the overall health and growth rate of the plant are adversely affected. Ozone can disrupt cellular processes, ultimately impacting biomass accumulation and the plant's ability to perform vital functions.

Recognizing all these symptoms—flecks and stipple, bleaching and tip burns, and growth suppression—as indicators of ozone injury underscores the importance of comprehensive monitoring in environmental health and plant management. Each of these symptoms