About

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gaseous air pollutant composed of nitrogen and oxygen. 
• It is a reddish-brown, pungent, acidic gas that is corrosive and strongly oxidising.
• It is one of a group of highly reactive gases known as oxides of nitrogen or nitrogen oxides (NOx). 
  • Other nitrogen oxides include nitrous acid and nitric acid. 
  • NO2 is used as the indicator for the larger group of nitrogen oxides.
• Nitrogen oxides are produced naturally by lightning, and also, to a small extent, by microbial processes in soils.
• Nitrogen dioxide forms when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas (natural gas) or diesel are burned at high temperatures.

Impact of Nitrogen Oxides on plants

• Nitrogen oxides are phytotoxic, meaning they stress plants, and have been known to hinder cellular function and interfere with crucial enzymatic activities. 
• The oxides also contribute to the formation of ozone, which in turn exacerbates crop damage.
• They also produce particulate matter that limits the amount of sunlight available for photosynthesis.