title: Fluoride effects on the mulberry-silkworm system.
abstract: Absorption and accumulation of fluoride (F) from ambient air by mulberry leaves, and its transfer and effects on silkworm development, were examined. When the concentration of F in air exceeded 1.5 microg dm(-2). day (-1), using lime filter papers as static monitors, the F content of mulbery leaves was more than 30 ppm, the threshold for injury to silkworm larvae. Fluoride-polluted mulberry leaves inhibited growth and development of silkworms. Leaves containing more than 80 ppm F severely inhibited cocoon production. Fluoride was absorbed from the atmosphere by the mulberry leaf and was transferred to the silkworm, soil, water, and back to the atmosphere, forming a cycle.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Institute of Botany, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: J X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Bian