Responses of the flavonoid pathway to UV-B radiation stress and the correlation with the lipid antioxidant characteristics in the desert plant Caryopteris mongolica

Caryopteris mongolica is a dwarf shrub mainly found in grassland and desert areas of north-west China, and which can survive severe environmental stress. This study aimed to assess the responses of the flavonoid pathway to UV-B radiation treatments and its correlation to the lipid peroxide and antioxidant systems in C. mongolica. In UV-B radiation experiments, plants were exposed to UV-B radiation treatments with a intensity of 30 J/s for 1, 4 and 24 h, respectively. A control group without UV-B radiation treatment was also used. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid, levels of lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant system enzymes, accumulations of total flavonoids and anthocyanins, and activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) under different UV-B radiation treatments were investigated. The correlations between products and key enzymes in the flavonoid pathway and the lipid peroxide and antioxidant systems were also analyzed. The results showed that chlorophyll fluorescence parameters decreased within 24 h of treatment. The chlorophyll contents decreased within 4 h and remained stable after 24 h. Carotenoid content significantly increased. The level of MDA, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) and the contents of total flavonoids and anthocyanidins increased, while catalase (CAT) activity decreased under UV-B stress. The activities of PAL and CHI also increased with the increased content of total flavonoids. The flavonoid products anthocyanidins had a significant positive correlation with MDA level, as well as the activities of antioxidant enzyme SOD. In conclusion, UV-B radiation induced the degradation of photosynthetic pigments and decreased photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II; increased the contents of MDA, total flavonoids and anthocyanidins; and also enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX and POD) and key enzymes (PAL and CHI) in the flavonoid pathway in C. mongolica. Thus, we speculate that the flavonoid pathway were involved in the regulation of stress resistance in C. mongolica.     

Protective role of selenium in wheat seedlings subjected to enhanced UV-B radiation

Selenium (Se) is beneficial for some plants and is able to increase resistance and antioxidant capacity of plants subjected to stressful environment. In this work, the effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, Se supply, and their combination on growth and physiological traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Han NO.7086) seedlings were studied. The objective was to elucidate whether Se could alleviate the expected adverse effects of UV-B stress on seedlings. UV-B treatment caused a marked decline in growth parameters and total chlorophyll content and changed biomass allocation between aboveground and underground parts, which led to an increase in the root/shoot ratio. UV-B treatment also increased MDA content and the rate of superoxide radical (O₂^·−) production, although it increased some antioxidant (proline, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids) content and activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, superoxide dimutase, catalase (CAT)). Se treatment only increased total chlorophyll content and CAT activity. Compared with UV-B treatment alone, the combined treatment with UV-B and Se induced a significant increase in the biomass, total chlorophyll content, antioxidant content, and activity of antioxidant enzymes, and an evident decrease in MDA content and the rate of O₂^·− production. The results of this study demonstrated that Se alleviated the damage caused by UV-B to wheat seedlings to some extent by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant content.     

Growth under UV-B radiation increases tolerance to high-light stress in pea and bean plants

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were exposed to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation in a growth chamber. Leaf discs of UV-B treated and control plants were exposed to high-light (HL) stress (PAR: 1200 mol m^–2 s^–1) to study whether pre-treatment with UV-B affected the photoprotective mechanisms of the plants against photoinhibition. At regular time intervals leaf discs were taken to perform chlorophyll a fluorescence and oxygen evolution measurements to assess damage to the photosystems. Also, after 1 h of HL treatment the concentration of xanthophyll cycle pigments was determined. A significantly slower decline of maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (F _v/F _m), together with a slower decline of oxygen evolution during HL stress was observed in leaf discs of UV-B treated plants compared to controls in both plant species. This indicated an increased tolerance to HL stress in UV-B treated plants. The total pool of xanthophyll cycle pigments was increased in UV-B treated pea plants compared to controls, but in bean no significant differences were found between treatments. However, in bean plants thiol concentrations were significantly enhanced by UV-B treatment, and UV-absorbing compounds increased in both species, indicating a higher antioxidant capacity. An increased leaf thickness, together with increases in antioxidant capacity could have contributed to the higher protection against photoinhibition in UV-B treated plants.     

Response of the estuarine cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lyngbya aestuarii</Emphasis> to UV-B radiation

Growth response and changes in the spectral properties of methanolic extract of an estuarine cyanobacterium, Lyngbya aestuarii Agardh, to UV-B radiation were studied. Increase in growth accompanied by increase in chlorophyll a, protein and carbohydrate content was observed up to 12 h of UV-B irradiation followed by a decline with further increase in the duration of UV exposure. Carotenoid content progressively increased with the UV-B dose. The organism synthesized, to a significant extent, mycosporine amino acid-like substances (MAAs) upon UV-B exposure. The cells in the trichome became coiled followed by formation of small bundles as a response to UV-B radiation. SDS protein profile of the UV irradiated cells showed repression of 20 and 22 kDa proteins. However, irradiation with UV-B for 6–24 h led to overproduction of 84, 73, 60, 46, 40, 37 KDa proteins, possibly conferring protection to the organism from UV-B. UV irradiated cells cultured in florescent light for up to 7 days showed revival from UV damage of the pigments and macromolecular contents, suggesting existence of a repair mechanism in the organism.     

Effects of experimental warming on growth,biomass allocation,and needle chemistry of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies faxoniana</Emphasis> in even-aged monospecific stands

The response and adaption mechanisms of seedlings under long-term warming have remained largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of warming for 6 years on growth, and needle carbon, nitrogen, chlorophyll, and carbohydrate levels in a coniferous tree species, Abies faxoniana. Seedlings were grown in even-aged monospecific stands under ambient and warming (ambient +2.2°C) temperature in climate control chambers. Warming caused statistically significant increases in the specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, root biomass, leaf biomass, branch biomass, stem biomass, and total mass of the seedlings, and reduced the root/shoot ratio. Warming also increased total chlorophyll concentrations, specific chlorophyll pigments, and Chlorophyll a/b ratios in both studied needle age classes. In addition, C/N ratios of current-year and 1-year-old needles increased by warming. In contrast, warming decreased the levels of N, sugar, cellulose, and starch in needles, while warming had no effect on the height, stem diameter, needle mass ratio, root mass ratio, and root/needle ratio. We conclude that warming increases branch growth and changes needle chemistry, which enhances the light capture potential of seedlings.     

Evaluating UV-B effects and EDU protection in cucumber leaves using fluorescence images and fluorescence emission spectra

A newly developed laboratory fluorescence imaging system was used to obtain fluorescence images (FImage) of freshly excised cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves in spectral bands centered in the blue (F450), green (F550), red (F680), and far-red (F730) spectral regions that resulted from a broad-band (300-400 nm) excitation source centered at 360 nm. Means of relative fluorescence intensities (RFI) from these spectral fluorescence images were compared with spectral fluorescence emission data obtained from excitation wavelengths at 280 nm (280EX, 300-550 nm) and 380 nm (380EX, 400-800 nm) of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts from these leaves. All three fluorescence data types (FImage, 280EX, 380EX) were used to assess ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280-320 nm) induced physiological changes and the possible use of N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl) ethyl]-N′-phenylurea (EDU or ethylenediurea) as a chemical protectant against UV-B damage. Plants exhibited well known foliar growth and pigment responses to UV-B exposure (e.g., increased UV-B absorbing compounds and decreased leaf area, chlorophyll a content; and and lower chlorophyll a/b and chlorophyll/carotenoid pigment ratios). Since EDU alone had no effect on foliar variables, there was no evidence that EDU afforded protection against UV-B. Instead, EDU augmented some UV-B effects when provided in conjunction with UV-B irradiation (e.g., reductions in the chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio, total photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll b content).Relative fluorescence intensities (RFI) in the longer visible wavelengths (green, red, and far-red) were uncorrelated for comparisons between the FImage and 380EX data sets. However, blue and green RFI were significantly correlated (0.8r0.6; P ≤0.002) for comparisons between FImage and 280EX data sets. UV-B treatment caused an increase in blue RFI (e.g., F450) in both images and 280EX measurements. One explanation is that the UV-B excitation of both 280EX and FImage stimulates processes that produce excess blue fluorescence. The molecules that produce the excess blue fluorescence in both the 280EX and the Fimage data are different electron transfer agents that operate in parallel. For FImage, the UV excitation penetrates leaf surface layers to stimulate fluorescence from compounds in mesophyll and epidermal tissues (as occurs for the extracts of leaf discs), whereas emissions captured at longer, less energetic wavelengths, were primarily from the epidermal layer. UV-B irradiated leaves showed much greater heteorgeneity of RFI in both the green (F550_FImag) and the red (F680_FImag) bands than unirradiated leaves; this was true irrespective of EDU treatment.Although qualitative responses in individual bands differed between FImage and 380EX data, similar results were obtained in the detection of UV-B induced effects when the red/green and blue/far-red fluorescence ratios of these data were compared. The red/green ratio (either F680/F550_FImage or F675/F525_380EX) was lower for UV-B exposed plants in both images and 380EX data. UV-B exposure also significantly enhanced the blue/far-red ratio of images (F450/F740_FImage) and the comparable 380EX ratio (F450/F730_380EX) for the combined UV-B/EDU group. The far-red/red ratios were not useful in separating treatment effects in images or 380EX. Although comparable ratios were not available in 280EX data, the UV/blue ratio (F315/F420_280EX) was substantially reduced by UV-B exposure and was inversely related to total photosynthetic pigment content. These findings suggest that the red/green ratio (FImage, 380EX) and the UV/blue ratio (280EX) may be as useful as the blue/far-red ratio (380EX) reported previously in detection of UV-B stress. Furthermore, the results support the validity of the imaging technique as a non-destructive diagnostic tool for assessing UV-B stress damage in plants.     

Carbon and nitrogen partitioning in the freshwater submerged macrophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vallisneria gigantea</Emphasis> in response to ultraviolet-B irradiance

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposures (0.55 and 1.1 W m⁻²) on the distributional variations of plant carbon and nitrogen content in both below- and aboveground parts in Vallisneria gigantea Graebner in laboratory conditions for a 3-month period. Plant biomass, total organic nitrogen, total organic carbon, lignin, water soluble carbohydrates and chlorophyll a and b were analysed and compared using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) between UV-B-exposed and nonexposed treatments. A significant reduction (F _{(2, 15)} = 754.5, P < 0.001) was observed in leaf chlorophyll a concentrations at UV-B exposure levels. In the high UV-B irradiation group, a significant decrease (50.3%) was observed compared with the initial aboveground biomass. The total organic nitrogen content at both high and low UV-B exposure levels declined significantly by 25.6% and 24.3%, respectively, in aboveground samples, while significant increases of 39.6% and 40%, respectively, were observed in belowground tissues, compared with non-UV-B treatment groups. The partitioning of total organic carbon in the aboveground tissues was reflected by significant increase in lignin and water soluble carbohydrates in aboveground tissues under UV-B stress. However, total organic nitrogen demonstrated greater partitioning into the belowground tissues of V. gigantea. This study highlights the defense mechanisms of V. gigantea through changes in the percentage composition of carbon and nitrogen compounds with negative effects on nutrient regeneration, which can be accelerated in a system exposed to UV-B irradiation at or above biologically effective levels.     

NaCl induced cross-acclimation to UV-B radiation in four Barley (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hordeum vulgare</Emphasis> L.) cultivars

The effect of pre-treatment with 200 mM NaCl on the response of four barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Bülbül-89, Kalaycı-97, Tarm-92 and Tokak-157/37) to UV-B radiation was investigated. Salt stress as well as UV-B irradiation led to a decrease of the total chlorophyll (chl) content in all cultivars, except in Kalaycı-97. While carotenoids are almost not affected by NaCl treatment, UV-B irradiation caused an increase by 5–20% of carotenoid content of all cultivars. UV-B induced damages of photosynthetic apparatus were estimated by the rate of photosynthetic electron transport measured by chl fluorescence and the rate of oxygen evolution, the latter being more affected. Pre-treatment with NaCl alleviated harmful effect of UV-B irradiation on F _v/F _m and ETR, but not on oxygen evolution. UV-B-induced and UV-B-absorbing compounds with absorption at 300 and 438 nm increased as a result of UV-B treatment. The level of stress marker proline increased considerably as a result of NaCl treatment, while UV-B irradiation resulted in a pronounced increase of the level of H₂O₂. MDA enhanced in the seedlings subjected to salt and UV-B stress. Established cross-acclimation to UV-B as a result of salt treatment could be due to the increased free proline and the level of UV-B absorbing compounds in barley seedlings subjected to NaCl.     

Effects of an enhanced ultraviolet-B irradiation on photosynthetic apparatus of several forest coniferous tree species from different locations

The effect of UV-B on the photosynthetic apparatus of coniferous trees: Picea abies (L.) Karst., Picea pungens (Engelm.), Pinus sylvestris (L.), Pinus cembra (L.) and Abies alba (Mill.) was investigated. Three and four-year-old plantlets coming from different latitudes, longitudes and altitudes were used. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse. Two doses of ultraviolet-B irradiation were applied: control=0, low dose=11.32 and high dose=22.64 kJ·m⁻²·d⁻¹ UV-B_BE (biologically effective irradiance of UV-B). Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, chlorophyll and flavonoids content were carried out. Response of forest trees to an increased UV-B radiation depends on species, location of place of pantalets collecting and UV-B dose. Pinus cembra, Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris from high altitude (1000 m a.s.l.) were less sensitive to UV-B than these from plain location. The altitude determined adaptation of forest coniferous trees to an enhanced UV-B radiation much more than the latitudinal gradient. Permanent discoloration was observed only on the young needles of the fir plantlets that were grown in light limiting conditions. Photosynthetic parameters were affected by the UV-B radiation. Both maximal and the steady state fluorescence of chlorophyll were reduced as a consequence of elevated UV-B in case of some species. The chlorophyll content was enhanced, increased or was not affected according to species and to locations. The flavonoids content in the needles increased with chlorophyll content at both UV-B treatments. An opposite trend was found in the control. The increased content of screening pigments in the needles of all the tested coniferous trees was detected. Picea abies and Picea pungens photosynthesis response curves to the light and to the intercellular CO₂ concentration did not change significantly under increased UV-B because of higher concentration in screening pigments in leaves. The increased concentration of flavonoids in forest litter may lead to changes in the biogeochemical cycle in the forest ecosystem.     

UV-B辐射对雨生红球藻光合特性和虾青素含量的影响及其响应

实验研究了不同强度的UV-B(280-320 nm)辐射对雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis)的光合活性、生物量、色素含量、活性氧(ROS)含量和抗氧化酶活性等的影响, 以探讨利用UV-B辐射诱导虾青素生物合成增强的可能性。结果发现, 经UV-B辐射处理后,雨生红球藻的光合活性降低、生物量增长被抑制。UV-B辐射对叶绿素影响不大, 但会改变细胞的类胡萝卜素和虾青素含量:0.1和0.3 W/m2强度的UV-B辐射使细胞中的这两种色素含量升高, 0.5 W/m2组的色素含量短暂升高后恢复到对照水平。中低强度的UV-B可以促进雨生红球藻单细胞虾青素含量的增加, 但由于其对细胞生长的抑制作用, 并不能使虾青素大量积累。随辐射时间延长, 细胞内ROS含量未明显增加,但抗氧化酶(过氧化氢酶和超氧化物歧化酶)活性下降, 雨生红球藻可能主要依靠虾青素来淬灭ROS。以上结果表明, UV-B辐射对雨生红球藻的主要生理生化过程有抑制作用, UV-B辐射既可以诱导虾青素的合成又会消耗一部分虾青素, 对虾青素含量的影响与其强度有关, 而利用虾青素来清除细胞内的ROS可能是雨生红球藻抵御这种不利环境条件的最重要的途径。       

印度梨形孢对铁皮石斛种子萌发和原球茎生长的影响

为探究印度梨形孢(Piriformospora indica)对铁皮石斛(Dendrobium officinale)种子萌发和原球茎生长的影响,在铁皮石斛种子离体培养和原球茎生长阶段分别接种印度梨形孢,对其形态发育特征和生理特性进行研究.结果表明,接种印度梨形孢的铁皮石斛种子的起始萌发时间提前,接种印度梨形孢的铁皮石...     

Intraspecific variation in the response of the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena to moderate UV-B radiation

Floating and nodularin-producing strains of Nodularia spumigena from the Baltic Sea are regarded as belonging to one species. However, intraspecific variation in the response of N. spumigena to environmental factors has been commonly overlooked. As blooms of N. spumigena occur in late summer, a period with strong light and stable water-column stratification, the cells can be expected to also be exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280–320 nm). The UV-B tolerance of four different strains of N. spumigena, isolated from the Baltic Sea, was investigated in the laboratory for 8 days, by measuring photosynthesis, growth and pigment composition. Variables included maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis (F_v/F_m, PAM fluorometry), growth rate (cell counts) and photosynthetic pigments, as well as mycosporine-like amino acids (HPLC). Intraspecific differences regardless of treatment were found for cell dimension, growth rate, F_v/F_m and pigment concentrations. UV-B related effects differed between strains. By Day 8 one of the four strains showed a lower F_v/F_m when treated with UV-B; in another strain the growth rate and cell numbers were lower. In three strains, UV-B exposure resulted in higher cell concentrations of carotenoids and chlorophyll a. In all strains, the concentrations of total mycosporine-like amino acids were 60–130% higher in the UV-B treated samples compared with samples shielded from UV-B. Although strain-specific differences in UV-B tolerance were observed, it is concluded that N. spumigena is a species that is not generally negatively affected by moderate levels of UV-B radiation.     

三角褐指藻和小角毛藻对UV-B辐射增强的生理生化响应

通过实验生态学和生物化学的方法,研究了UV-B辐射对三角褐指藻和小角毛藻的生长、叶绿素a、类胡萝卜素、丙二醛、可溶性蛋白含量和抗氧化物酶活性的影响。结果表明:(1) UV-B辐射增强抑制了2种微藻的生长,低剂量(0.75J/m²)UV-B辐射对三角褐指藻的生长具有一定刺激作用。(2) 三角褐指藻的叶绿素a含量随辐射剂量的增加先上升后下降,小角毛藻chl-a含量缓慢下降。2种微藻MDA含量随UV-B辐射剂量的增加而升高。(3) 随着辐射剂量的增加,三角褐指藻可溶性蛋白含量先稍有升高后较快下降。小角毛藻可溶性蛋白含量始终呈下降趋势。(4) UV-B辐射增强使2种微藻的SOD 、POD和CAT活性先升高后下降,小角毛藻的酶活性变化相对稳定。     

Combined effects of enhanced UV-B radiation and nitrogen deficiency on the growth,composition and photosynthesis of rye (Secale cereale)

The interactive effects of N-deficiency and enhanced UV-B radiation on growth, photosynthesis and pigmentation of rye were studied. The plants were grown for 5 weeks in growth chambers with high (700 mol m^-2 s^-2) irradiance levels. A 30% difference in UV-B at plant level was achieved by using different thicknesses of UV-B transparent Plexiglass. One half of the plants received optimal N nutrition, while the other received half of this dose. Both enhanced UV-B and N deficiency strongly decreased production (from 24–33%). The combined effect was additive (no interaction) on most parameters, including total dry weight production which was 52% lower than in the control series. Significant interaction was found on the root/shoot ratio. While reduced N supply induced an increase in the ratio at normal UV-B irradiation, under the increased UV-B, N deficiency had no effect on the root/shoot ratio. The reduced biomass due to UV-B was clearly correlated to a reduction in photosynthesis. At optimal N supply the plants increased the production of protective pigments in response to UV-B, but at reduced N supply this response was lacking. The increased N content of the high UV-B/high N plants could be a result of increased flavonoid production as well as changes in light penetration in the canopy.     

硝酸镧和兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛生理特性的影响

利用盆栽的方式研究了不同硝酸镧水平(0、1.0、3.0、5.0和7.0mg·L-1)下接种兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛生物量、多糖和蛋白质合成的影响,并分析了叶绿素含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的变化,以探讨硝酸镧和兰科菌根真菌对铁皮石斛生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)添加适量的硝酸镧有利于菌根真菌侵染和菌根发育,提高铁皮石斛幼苗生物量。(2)在接种菌根真菌的同时添加5.0mg·L-1的硝酸镧,铁皮石斛的根重、茎叶重和总生物量均达到最大,分别是未添加硝酸镧以及未接种对照组的4.26倍、4.98倍和4.87倍,其菌根侵染率也高达92.8%;而且可显著提高叶片中叶绿素含量,并显著降低细胞内的丙二醛含量。(3)在适量(5.0mg·L-1)的硝酸镧水平下接种菌根真菌能促进铁皮石斛幼苗多糖和蛋白质的合成,并显著提高细胞内SOD、CAT和POD活性。研究认为,菌根真菌与适宜浓度硝酸镧(5.0 mg·L-1)联合使用能显著促进铁皮石斛菌根的形成,增强植株的生理活性和适应能力,提高其生物量和多糖等活性成分的积累,有效改善铁皮石斛的药用品质。     

Silicon Improves the Tolerance of Wheat Seedlings to Ultraviolet-B Stress

Enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation is one of the most important abiotic stresses that could influence the growth and physiological traits of plants. In this work, we reported the effects of silicon on the growth and physiological characteristics of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv Hengmai5229) subject to UV-B stress. Treatments with silicon significantly increased total biomass and chlorophyll (a + b) content, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the rate of superoxide radical (O₂⁻) production in wheat seedlings subjected to UV-B stress. Silicon treatments also induced an increased in soluble sugar, anthocyanins, and flavonoid content. Leaf silicon concentration increased with the increasing of silicon supply to soil. Positive correlations were found in leaf silicon concentration with total biomass, chlorophyll (a + b), proline, and soluble protein content, respectively. MDA content and the rate of O₂⁻ production were negatively correlated with leaf silicon concentration in seedlings. The results demonstrated that silicon alleviated the damage caused by UV-B on wheat seedlings to some extent by the increase in antioxidant compounds content and leaf silicon concentration.     

Brassinosteroids Modify Yield,Quality, and Antioxidant Components in Grapes (Vitis vinifera cv. Alphonse Lavallée)

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of polyhydroxysteroids that have been recognized as a “sixth class of plant hormones.” Exogenous application of BRs affects a broad spectrum of physiological responses, secondary metabolite accumulation, and resistance against stress factors in plants. In this study, the effects of pre-harvest 24-epibrassinolide (24-eBL) applications on the accumulation of antioxidant compound, yield, and quality properties of Alphonse Lavallée grape cultivar were examined. 24-eBL was applied to vines with 13 combinations including different application times and concentrations of 24-eBL (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg L⁻¹) and control. It was found that 24-eBL increased yield, quality, and antioxidant compounds in grapes when it was applied at appropriate concentration and application time. The concentration 0.2 mg L⁻¹ of 24-eBL applied to vines at three times (7 days after berry set + veraison + 30 days after veraison) was the most suitable application providing the highest yield and some quality properties such as cluster weight, berry weight, and specific gravity. Concentrations 0.6 and 0.8 mg L⁻¹ of 24-eBL applied at veraison to vines can be suggested for total phenolics, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, and trans-resveratrol accumulation for Alphonse Lavallée as a practical application, while the application consists of 0.6 mg L⁻¹ of 24-eBL and 7 days after berry set + veraison + 30 days after veraison seems to be the best treatment for anthocyanin content.

     

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.     

Effects of UV-B on motility and photoorientation in the cyanobacterium,Phormidium uncinatum

UV-B irradiation has a detrimental effect on the survival of populations of the filamentous cyanobacterium, Phormidium uncinatum, at levels slightly higher than those currently measured at the surface of the earth. The organisms are not damaged or killed by UV-B radiation at 300 nm of 200 Wm^-2 for up to 20 h; but slightly increased levels of UV-B irradiation (2 h of 200 Wm^-2 at 300 nm) drastically impair motility, phototactic orientation and photophobic responses. These photosynthetic organisms require a narrow light intensity range for growth so that any decrease in their ability to actively search for and move into areas of favorable light conditions is bound to affect the survival of a population. The fluorescence yield of both phycobilins and chlorophyll is not altered even after 20 h of UV-B irradiation (200 Wm^-2 at 270 nm) indicating that UV-B at that dose does not affect the photosynthetic apparatus. The organisms are killed either by too bright intensities which bleach the photosynthetic pigments or by the lack of energy when they are unable to avoid moving into dark areas.