Enhanced UV-B radiation,artificial wounding and leaf chemical defensive potential in Phlomis fruticosa L.

The combined effects of additional UV-B radiation and artificial wounding on leaf phenolics were studied in a short term field experiment with the drought semi-deciduous Mediterranean shrub Phlomis fruticosa L. The seedlings were grown under ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (biologically equivalent to a 15% ozone depletion over Patras, 38.3° N, 29.1° E) for 7 months before wounding. Unexpectedly, supplemental UV-B radiation decreased leaf phenolics. Subsequently, wounding was effected by removing leaf discs from some of the plants, while the rest remained intact and served as controls. Wounding significantly increased phenolics of the wounded leaves and the increase was more pronounced under supplemental UV-B radiation. In addition, wounding had a significant positive effect on the phenolics of the opposite, intact leaf, but only under additional UV-B radiation. We conclude that UV-B radiation, wounding and their combination may affect the chemical defensive potential of Phlomis fruticosa. In addition, increased levels of phenolics after herbivore attack under field conditions may afford extra protection against enhanced UV-B radiation levels.     

Effects of UV-B radiation and additional irrigation on the Mediterranean evergreen sclerophyll Ceratonia siliqua L. under field conditions

Seedlings of Ceratonia siliqua L. were grown for 1 year in the field under ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (corresponding to 15% ozone depletion over Patras) and received two levels of additional irrigation during the summer dry period. The experiment was started during February 1998 and two major samplings were performed, the first at the end of the dry period (September 1998) and the second at the end of the experiment (January 1999). Plants receiving additional irrigation showed significantly higher leaf number, plant height and chlorophyll content at the end of the summer, but these differences were abolished at the final harvest. Plants growing under enhanced UV-B radiation had significantly fewer leaves and less nitrogen content at the end of the dry period, but these effects were also abolished at the final harvest, during which significant UV-B induced increases in stem dry mass were observed. None of the other measured parameters (mean leaf area, leaf dry mass, leaf thickness, UV-B absorbing compounds, phenolics, tannins and photochemical efficiency of PSII) were affected by either treatment. Combined UV-B / water effects were not significant. We may conclude that although some minor responses to enhanced UV-B radiation were evident, C. siliqua is resistant against UV-B radiation damage at the level applied.     

Reduction of ambient UV-B radiation does not affect growth but may change the flowering pattern of Rosmarinus officinalis L.

The effects of sub-ambient levels of UV-B radiation on the shrub Rosmarinus officinalis L. were investigated in a field filtration experiment in which the ambient UV-B was manipulated by a combination of UV-B transmitting and UV-B absorbing filters. As a result, the plants were receiving near-ambient or drastically reduced UV-B radiation doses. Drastic reduction of UV-B radiation had no effect on mean, total and maximum stem length, number of stems per plant, dry mass of leaves, stems and roots and leaf nitrogen and phenolic contents. However, flowering was more pronounced under reduced UV-B radiation during the winter period which coincides with ascending ambient UV-B radiation. In contrast, during autumn and early winter, a period which coincides with descending ambient UV-B radiation, flowering was unaffected by reduced UV-B radiation. We can conclude that natural UV-B radiation does not affect growth of Rosmarinus officinalis, but its reduction could influence the flowering pattern of the species.     

The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on loblolly pine

Summary Depletion of stratospheric ozone and the resulting increase in ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation may negatively impact the productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. This concern has led to a number of studies that report the influence of supplementing UV-B radiation on plant growth and development. However, only two of these field studies have included tree species and both were singleseason experiments. In this study, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) from seven seed sources was grown under natural and supplemental levels of UV-B radiation. Irradiation treatments were continued for three seasons on plants from four of the seven groups and for 1 year only for three groups. The supplemental irradiances simulated those that would be anticipated with stratospheric ozone reductions of 16% and 25% over Beltsville, Md. The effects of UV-B radiation during the 1st year on plant growth varied among the seed sources. The growth of plants from two of the seven seed sources tested showed significant reductions following a single irradiation season and plants from one group tended to be larger under increased UV-B radiation. However, after 3 years of supplemental irradiation, plant biomass was reduced in all four groups by 12–20% at the highest simulated ozone depletion. These results suggest that the effects of UV-B radiation may accumulate in trees and that increased UV-B radiation could significantly reduce the growth of loblolly pine over its lifetime. However, they also point to a need for multiple season research in any analysis of potential consequences of global change on the long-term growth of trees.     

UV-B辐射对马尾松凋落叶分解和养分释放的影响

由大气臭氧层减薄导致的UV-B辐射变化将直接影响到凋落物的分解。目前,有关UV-B辐射影响木本植物凋落物分解的研究还很少,在国内还没有开展。采用分解袋法开展了马尾松凋落叶在自然环境和UV-B辐射滤减两种辐射环境下的分解试验。结果表明：在UV-B辐射滤减环境下的马尾松凋落叶年分解速率比对照环境减慢了47.74%。UV-B辐射极显著(p<0.01)地加快了马尾松凋落叶的分解速率,促进了凋落叶中碳、磷、钾的释放和木质素的降解,对氮的释放无明显影响。研究结果意味着UV-B辐射将加快马尾松林的营养循环速度,降低马尾松林凋落物层的碳储量。     

The effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B and nitrogen supply on growth,photosynthesis and nutrient status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies faxoniana</Emphasis> seedlings

Abies faxoniana is a key species in reforestation processes in the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. The changes in growth, photosynthesis and nutrient status of A. faxoniana seedlings exposed to enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B), nitrogen supply and their combination were investigated. The experimental design included two levels of UV-B treatments (ambient UV-B, 11.02 KJ m⁻² day⁻¹; enhanced UV-B, 14.33 KJ m⁻² day⁻¹) and two nitrogen levels (0; 20 g N m⁻²). The results indicated that: (1) enhanced UV-B significantly caused a marked decline in growth parameters, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), photosynthetic pigments and F _v/F _m, (2) supplemental nitrogen supply increased the accumulation of total biomass, Pn, photosynthetic pigments and F _v/F _m under ambient UV-B, whereas supplemental nitrogen supply reduced Pn, and not affect biomass under enhanced UV-B, (3) enhanced UV-B or nitrogen supply changed the concentration of nutrient elements of various organs.     

The combined effects of elevated CO2 levels and UV-B radiation on growth characteristics ofElymus athericus (= E. pycnanathus)

Elymus athericus (Link) Kerguélen, a C₃ grass, was grown in a greenhouse experiment to determine the effect of enhanced atmospheric CO₂ and elevated UV-B radiation levels on plant growth. Plants were subjected to the following treatments; a) ambient CO₂-control UV-B, b) ambient CO₂-elevated UV-B, c) double CO₂-control UV-B, d) double CO₂-elevated UV-B. Elevated CO₂ concentrations stimulated plant growth, biomass production was 67% higher than at ambient CO₂. Elevated UV-B radiation had a negative effect on growth, biomass production was depressed by 31%. Enhanced CO₂ combined with elevated UV-B levels caused a biomass depression of 8% when compared with the control plants. UV-B induced growth depression can be modified by a growth stimulus caused by high CO₂ concentrations. Growth analysis has been performed and possible physiological mechanisms behind changing growth parameters are discussed.     

Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on a weedy forb (Plantago lanceolata) and its interactions with a generalist and specialist herbivore

Assessments of potential impacts of global climate change often focus exclusively on plants; however, as the base of most food webs, plants generally experience abiotic stresses concomitantly with biotic stresses. Longleaf plantain, Plantago lanceolata L., is a cosmopolitan temperate perennial weed that experiences a wide range of environmental conditions throughout its range. We examined the impacts of elevated levels of exposure to shortwave (UV-B) radiation on this plant, on two herbivores associated with this plant, and on the plant-herbivore interaction. Plantains were grown at 6 and 12 kJ m^–2 d^–1 BE₃₀₀ UV-B radiation and concentrations of iridoid glycosides (aucubin and catalpol), verbascosides, and nitrogen were measured. In terms of plant impacts, we found that iridoid glycoside concentrations were unchanged by elevated UV-B radiation, whereas, in one experiment, the concentration of verbascosides in young leaves and levels of nitrogen in old leaves increased under elevated UV-B radiation. Variation in plant chemistry due to leaf age and maternal family was greater than variation due to UV-B exposure. When caterpillars were fed excised leaves from plants grown under elevated UV-B, growth and survivorship of the specialist herbivore, Precis coenia Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), were unaltered and growth of the generalist herbivore, Trichoplusia ni (Hbn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was accelerated. When the caterpillars were reared on potted plants at high and low levels of UV-B radiation, growth and survivorship of P. coenia were unchanged while growth of T. ni was significantly depressed by elevated UV-B. Elevated UV-B altered allocation patterns of above-ground biomass in these plants; masses of crowns and reproductive tissue were reduced. UV-B levels, however, did not affect distribution of damage to foliage inflicted by either species. In two additional experiments with artificial diet, designed to test the direct effect of UV-B radiation on caterpillars, growth and survivorship of P. coenia were unaltered while survivorship of T. ni was significantly depressed when caterpillars were exposed to elevated UV-B radiation. These studies collectively demonstrate that higher trophic level impacts of UV-B-induced changes in plants depend on the identity of the herbivore and its degree of adaptation not only to variation in hostplant quality but also variation in its light environment.     

Enhanced UV-B radiation,flower attributes and pollinator behaviour in Cistus creticus: a Mediterranean field study

The aim of this investigation was to examine the reasons for the higher pollination success in Cistus creticus under enhanced UV-B radiation (Stephanou & Manetas 1998). Thus, a selected array of floral attributes as well as the frequency and duration of insect visits were studied in the field under ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation, simulating a 15% ozone depletion over Patras (38.3° N, 29.1° E). Video-recording revealed two categories of visitors, i.e. true pollinators (bees) and nectar thieves. The frequency of visits to both control and UV-B treated plants was the same and independent of whether the UV-B tubes were on or off during video recording. UV-B radiation had no effect on gross floral morphology (petal surface area, number of pollen grains, stamens and ovules, optical properties of petals and stamens), yet nectary size was almost doubled. In addition, the duration of insect visits was significantly longer on UV-B treated plants, provided that the UV-B tubes were off during monitoring. The differences were abolished during the part of the day that the tubes were on, indicating that the insects were annoyed by supplemental UV-B radiation. These results are consistent with the nectaries producing larger quantities of nectar, which caused the insects to stay longer on flowers of UV-B treated plants and improved pollination success.     

Increased solar UV-B radiation may reduce infection by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in dune grassland plants: evidence from five years of field exposure

An area of coastal dune grassland, dominated by the gramineous species Calamagrostis epigeios and Carex arenaria, was exposed to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation during a five year period. These species showed reduced AM-fungal infection percentages in their roots. In C. epigeios AM infection was reduced by 18%, C. arenaria showed a reduction by 20%. The major effect of enhanced UV-B on AM associations was a reduction of the number of arbuscules. This indicates a reduction in the exchange of nutrients between the symbionts. Since the effect of UV-B on AM associations may result from altered flavonoid levels in the root exudates of the host plants, flavonoid levels in the roots were investigated. No detectable flavonoid concentrations were found in the roots of C. epigeios and C. arenaria. Less effective AM associations can have pronounced negative effects on biodiversity and nutrient dynamics of the dune grassland ecosystem. The possible mechanisms causing these indirect effects of elevated UV-B on below ground AM associations are discussed. We conclude that UV-B induced changes in plant hormone levels are more likely to be the mechanism reducing AMF infection than UV-B induced alterations in flavonoid concentrations in the root exudates of the host plant.     

Changes in leaf expansion and epidermal screening effectiveness in Liquidambar styraciflua and Pinus taeda in response to UV-B radiation

Absorption or screening of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation by the epidermis may be an important protective method by which plants avoid damage upon exposure to potentially harmful UV-B radiation. In the present study we examined the relationships among epidermal screening effectiveness, concentration of UV-absorbing compounds, epidermal anatomy and growth responses in seedlings of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.). Seedlings of each species were grown in a greenhouse at the University of Maryland under either no UV-B radiation or daily supplemental UV-B radiation levels of 4, 8 or 11 kJ m^?2 of biologically effective UV-B (UV-B_BE) radiation. Loblolly pine seedlings were subsequently grown in the field under either ambient or supplemental levels of UV-B radiation. At the conclusion of the growing season, measurements of epidermal UV-B screening effectiveness were made with a fiber-optic microprobe. In loblolly pine, less than 0.5% of incident UV-B radiation was transmitted through the epidermis of fascicle needles and about 1% was transmitted in primary needles. In contrast, epidermal transmittance in sweetgum ranged from about 20% in leaves not preconditioned to UV-B exposure, to about 10% in leaves grown under UV-B radiation. The concentration of UV-absorbing compounds was unaffected by UV-B exposure, but generally increased with leaf age. Increases in epidermal thickness were observed in response to UV-B treatment in loblolly pine, and this accounted for over half of the variability in UV-B screening effectiveness. In spite of the low levels of UV-B penetration into the mesophyll, delays in leaf development (both species) and final needle size (loblolly pine) were observed. Seedling biomass was reduced by supplemental UV-B radiation in loblolly pine. We hypothesize that the UV-induced growth reductions were manifested by changes in either epidermal anatomy or epidermal secondary chemistry that might negatively impact cell elongation.     

Reduction of solar UV-B mediates changes in the Sphagnum capitulum microenvironment and the peatland microfungal community

The influence of near-ambient and reduced solar UV-B radiation on a peatland microfungal community was assessed by exposing experimental plots to UV-selective filtration. Replicate plots were covered with special plastic films to effect treatments of near-ambient and attenuated solar UV-B. The microfungal community from the top 1 cm of Sphagnum capitulum in a Tierra del Fuego peatland was censused throughout three growing seasons, between 1999 and 2002. Sphagnum capitula under near-ambient UV-B were more compressed and held more water than capitula under reduced UV-B. This water had a greater conductivity and was more acidic under near-ambient UV-B, as would be expected with increased leaching from the Sphagnum leaves. Nine regularly occurring hyphal fungi from the peatland were identified, at least to genus. Over three field seasons, no treatment effect on total fungal colony abundance was recorded, but individual species abundance was increased (Mortierella alpina), decreased (Penicillium frequentans), or was unaffected (P. thomii, Aureobasidium) by near-ambient UV-B. Species richness was also slightly lower under near-ambient UV-B. These treatment differences were smaller than seasonal or inter-annual fluctuations in abundance and species richness. In a growth chamber experiment, lamp UV-B treatments indicated that realistic fluxes of UV-B can inhibit fungal growth in some species. In addition to this direct UV-B effect, we suggest that changes in the peatland fungal community under near-ambient solar UV-B may also result from increased nutrient and moisture availability in the Sphagnum capitulum. The subtle nature of the responses of peatland fungi to solar UV-B suggests that most fungal species we encountered are well adapted to current solar UV-B fluxes in Tierra del Fuego.     

Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on the hormonal content of vegetative and reproductive tissues of two tomato cultivars and their relationships with reproductive characteristics

The effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on hormone changes in vegetative and reproductive tissues of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and their relationships with reproductive characteristics were studied. Two cultivars, TongHui (TH) and XiaGuang (XG), were grown in the field for one growing season under ambient (Control), ambient plus 2.54 kJ m^–2 d^–1 (T1) or ambient plus 4.25 kJ m^–2 d^–1 (T2) of supplemental ultraviolet-B (280–320 nm). The number of open flowers increased significantly in the TH cultivar under T2 while it declined in the XG cultivar under T1. Although pollen germination from both cultivars was inhibited by UV-B treatment, fruit number was enhanced in the TH cultivar at both UV-B doses and in the XG cultivar at the low dose. On the other hand, seed size (dry weight) was reduced in the XG cultivar by both UV-B doses and in the TH cultivar at the low UV-B dose. The final germination rates of seeds from control and UV-B treated plants of both cultivars showed no significant differences (p > 0.05), while germination was delayed in the TH cultivar at both doses of UV-B and in the XG cultivar only for T2. To determine the mechanism of UV-B's effects on developmental processes, hormone concentrations in leaves, pistils and seeds were analyzed using ELISA on partially purified extracts. The results suggested that enhanced UV-B radiation induced hormone changes in both vegetative and reproductive tissues. The alteration of flower number may be associated with the changes of ZR in leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation and the delayed germination may due to the changes in seed ABA and GAs.     

Growth enhancement of soybean (Glycine max) upon exclusion of UV-B and UV-B/A components of solar radiation: characterization of photosynthetic parameters in leaves

Exclusion of UV (280–380 nm) radiation from the solar spectrum can be an important tool to assess the impact of ambient UV radiation on plant growth and performance of crop plants. The effect of exclusion of UV-B and UV-A from solar radiation on the growth and photosynthetic components in soybean (Glycine max) leaves were investigated. Exclusion of solar UV-B and UV-B/A radiation, enhanced the fresh weight, dry weight, leaf area as well as induced a dramatic increase in plant height, which reflected a net increase in biomass. Dry weight increase per unit leaf area was quite significant upon both UV-B and UV-B/A exclusion from the solar spectrum. However, no changes in chlorophyll a and b contents were observed by exclusion of solar UV radiation but the content of carotenoids was significantly (34–46%) lowered. Analysis of chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence transient parameters of leaf segments suggested no change in the F _v/F _m value due to UV-B or UV-B/A exclusion. Only a small reduction in photo-oxidized signal I (P700⁺)/unit Chl was noted. Interestingly the total soluble protein content per unit leaf area increased by 18% in UV-B/A and 40% in UV-B excluded samples, suggesting a unique upregulation of biosynthesis and accumulation of biomass. Solar UV radiation thus seems to primarily affect the photomorphogenic regulatory system that leads to an enhanced growth of leaves and an enhanced rate of net photosynthesis in soybean, a crop plant of economic importance. The presence of ultra-violet components in sunlight seems to arrest carbon sequestration in plants. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Enhanced UV-B radiation alleviates the adverse effects of summer drought in two Mediterranean pines under field conditions

The effects of enhanced UV-B (290-320 nm) radiation on two native Mediterranean pines (Pinus pinea L., Pinus halepensis Mill.) were recorded during a one-year field study. Plants received ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (simulating a 15% stratospheric ozone depletion over Patras. Greece, 38.3°N. 29.1°E) and only natural precipitation, i.e. they were simultaneously exposed to other natural stresses. particularly water stress during summer. Supplemental UV-B irradiation started in early February, 1993 and up to late June, no effects were observed on growth and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, as measured by chlorophy II fluorescence induction. Water stress during the summer was manifested in the control plants as a decline in the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m), the apparent photon yield for oxygen evolution (φ_l) and the photosynthetic capacity at 5% CO₂ (P_m). In addition, a partial needle loss was evident. Under supplemental UV-B radiation, however, the decreases in F_v/F_m, φ_i, and P_m. as well as needle losses were significantly less. Soon after the first heavy autumn rains. photosynthetic parameters in both control and UV-B treated plants recovered to similar values. but the transient summer superiority of UV-B irradiated plants resulted in a significant increase in their dry weight measured at plant harvest. during late January. 1994. Plant height. UV-B absorbing compounds, photosynthetic pigments and relative water content measured at late spring. late summer and at plant harvest, were not significantly affected by supplemental UV-B radiation. The results indicate that enhanced UV-B radiation may be beneficial for Mediterranean pines through a partial alleviation of the adverse effects of summer drought.     

Nutrient availability influences UV-B sensitivity of Plantago lanceolata

Seeds of Plantago lanceolata were collected in a dune grassland ecosystem in the Netherlands. Plants were grown in a greenhouse for 61 days under either low or high nutrient conditions and were exposed to four different levels of biologically effective UV-B radiation. The highest UV-B exposure level simulated 30% reduction of the stratospheric ozone layer during summertime in the Netherlands. Total biomass production of plants at low nutrient supply was 50% lower compared to plants grown at high nutrient supply, while net photosynthesis was decreased by only 12%. Increased levels of UV-B reduced biomass production under non-limiting nutrient conditions only. Biomass production of plants grown at limited nutrient supply was not affected by UV-B. This response was correlated to increased accumulation of carbohydrates under nutrient limitation, which agrees well with the carbon/nutrient balance hypothesis. It is concluded that the increased accumulation of carbon in nutrient-stressed plants, may lead to a reduction of UV-B induced damage because of increased foliar UV-B absorbance by enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds and leaf thickening.     

Outdoor Studies on the Effects of Solar UV-B on bryophytes: Overview and Methodology

In this review all recent field studies on the effects of UV-B radiation on bryophytes are discussed. In most of the studies fluorescent UV-B tubes are used to expose the vegetation to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation to simulate stratospheric ozone depletion. Other studies use screens to filter the UV-B part of the solar spectrum, thereby comparing ambient levels of UV-B with reduced UV-B levels, or analyse effects of natural variations in UV-B arising from stratospheric ozone depletion. Nearly all studies show that mosses are well adapted to ambient levels of UV-B radiation since UV-B hardly affects growth parameters. In contrast with outdoor studies on higher plants, soluble UV-B absorbing compounds in bryophytes are typically not induced by enhanced levels of UV-B radiation. A few studies have demonstrated that UV-B radiation can influence plant morphology, photosynthetic capacity, photosynthetic pigments or levels of DNA damage. However, there is only a limited number of outdoor studies presented in the literature. More additional, especially long-term, experiments are needed to provide better data for statistical meta-analyses. A mini UV-B supplementation system is described, especially designed to study effects of UV-B radiation at remote field locations under harsh conditions, and which is therefore suited to perform long-term studies in the Arctic or Antarctic. The first results are presented from a long-term UV-B supplementation experiment at Signy Island in the Maritime Antarctic.     

Intraspecific responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagopyrum esculentum</Emphasis> to enhanced ultraviolet B radiation

The effects of supplemental UV-B radiation on crop growth, morphology, reproduction and physiology were studied in three cultivars of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (buckwheat) originating from high elevation (Qinghai-Tibet plateau) and lower altitudes (The Sichuan Basin). Our results showed that common buckwheat was sensitive to UV-B stress. Plant growth, development, and reproduction were inhibited by elevated UV-B radiation. Plant lipid oxidation and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity increased with increasing UV-B radiation, along with the concentration of phenylpropanoid compounds, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and ascorbic acid (Asa) concentration were also enhanced at the lowest level of supplemental UV-B radiation but decreased at the higher level of enhanced UV-B. While, a cultivar originating from elevated locations had lower dry matter accumulation and was more tolerant to UV-B radiation than cultivars originating from lower elevations. The effects on leaf thickness and increased antioxidant capacity could be linked with the improved performance of cultivar originating from high elevation when exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation. We conclude that UV-B tolerance should be considered prior to introducing or breeding common buckwheat cultivars from lowland cultivation to regions at high elevation such as the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.     

The effects of increased UV-B radiation on growth,pollination success,and lifetime female fitness in two Brassica species

The increasing levels of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation reaching the earth's surface caused by ozone destruction have prompted many studies of UV-B effects on plants. Most of these studies have focused on physiological and growth responses of plants to increased UV-B, but these measures may not be closely related to future survival of plant populations. We examined the effects of two different levels of increased UV-B on total female fitness, including seed number and quality, in rapid-cycling strains of Brassica nigra and B. rapa (Brassicaceae). We also measured the effects of UV-B on fitness components, particularly those related to pollination success. Two separate experiments, examining two different levels of UV-B, were performed. Sixty plants of each species were grown under control and enhanced levels of UV-B for a total of 480 plants (60 plantsx2 speciesx2 UV-B levelsx2 experiments). Increased UV-B was generally detrimental to growth and flowering in both species; however, total seed production was actually greater at higher UV-B doses in three of four dose/plant species combinations examined. UV-B had little effect on pollination success or offspring quality in either species. Therefore, in spite of the detrimental effects of UV-B on growth and flowering that we found, there is little evidence that fitness of these plant species would suffer with increasing UV-B, and we caution against using solely physiological or growth measurements to infer effects of UV-B on plant population fitness.     

Influence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on photosynthetic and growth characteristics in field-grown cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz)

The effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B between 290 and 320 nm) on photosynthesis and growth characteristics were investigated in field grown cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz). Plants were grown at ambient and ambient plus a 5.5kJ m^?2 d^?1 supplementation of UV-B radiation for 95 d. The supplemental UV-B fluence used in this experiment simulated a 15% depletion in stratospheric ozone at the equator (0°N). Carbon dioxide exchange, oxygen evolution, and the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F_v/F_m) were determined for fully expanded leaves after 64–76 d of UV-B exposure. AH plants were harvested after 95 d of UV-B exposure, assayed for chlorophyll and UV-B absorbing compounds, and separated into leaves, petioles, stems and roots. Exposure to UV-B radiation had no effect on in situ rates of photosynthesis or dark respiration. No difference in the concentration of UV-B absorbing compounds was observed between treatments. A 2-d daytime diurnal comparison of F_v to F_m ratios indicated a significant decline in F_v/F_m ratios and a subsequent increase in photoinhibition under enhanced UV-B radiation if temperature or PPF exceeded 35°C or 1800μmol m^?2 s^?1, respectively. However, UV-B effects on fluorescence kinetics appeared to be temporal since maximal photosynthetic rates as determined by oxygen evolution at saturated CO₂ and PPF remained unchanged. Although total biomass was unaltered with UV-B exposure, alterations in the growth characteristics of cassava grown with supplemental UV-B radiation are consistent with auxin destruction and reduced apical dominance. Changes in growth included an alteration of biomass partitioning with a significant increase in shoot/root ratio noted for plants receiving supplemental UV-B radiation. The increase in shoot/root ratio was due primarily to a significant decrease in root weight (–32%) with UV-B exposure. Because root production determines the harvest-able portion of cassava, UV-B radiation may still influence the yield of an important tropical agronomic species, even though photosynthesis and total dry biomass may not be directly affected.