增强的UV-B辐射对麦田生态系统中种群数量动态的影响

研究了大田栽培和自然光条件下,模拟UV-B辐射(UV-B,280～315nm)增强对麦田生态系统杂草、大型土壤动物和麦蚜种群数量动态的影响。在UV-B辐射下,杂草和大型土壤动物的种类和数量降低,物种多样性改变,杂草总生物量也降低。UV-B辐射降低麦蚜复合种群数量,并与麦叶粗纤维、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、Mg和Zn含量有显著的相关性。UV-B辐射还导致麦蚜与麦叶Mg、Fe和Zn含量均显著增加。     

Response of purely symbiotic and NO3-fed nodulated plants of Lupinus luteus and Vicia atropurpurea to ultraviolet-B radiation

The effects of elevated UV-B radiation on growth, symbiotic function and concentration of metabolites were assessed in purely symbiotic and NO3-fed nodulated plants of Lupinus luteus and Vicia atropurpurea grown outdoors either on tables under supplemental UV-B radiation or in chambers covered with different types of plexi-glass to attenuate solar ultraviolet radiation. Moderately and highly elevated UV-B exposures simulating 15% and 25% ozone depletion as well as sub- ambient UV-B did not alter organ growth, plant total dry matter and N content per plant in both L. luteus and V. atropurpurea. In contrast, elevated UV-B increased (P <0.05) flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations in roots and leaves of L. luteus, but not of V. atropurpurea. Feeding nodulated plants of L. luteus under elevated UV-B radiation with 2 mM NO3 increased (P <0.05) nodule, leaf and total dry matter, and whole plant N content. With V. atropurpurea, NO3 reduced (P <0.05) nodule activity, root %N and concentrations of flavonoids, anthocyanins in roots and leaves and soluble sugars in roots, in contrast to an observed increase (P <0.05) in nodule dry matter per plant. Similarly, supplying 2 mM NO3 to L. luteus plants exposed to sub-ambient UV-B radiation significantly reduced individual organ growth, plant total biomass, nodule dry matter, nodule %N, and whole plant N content, as well as root concentrations of flavonoids, anthocyanins, soluble sugars, and starch of L. luteus, but not V. atropurpurea plants. These results show no adverse effect of elevated UV-B radiation on growth and symbiotic function of L. luteus and V. atropurpurea plants. However, NO3 supply promoted growth in L. luteus plants exposed to the highly elevated UV-B radiation.     

元谋干热河谷燥红土和变性土上植物叶片的元素含量及其重吸收效率

采用盆栽试验,研究元谋干热河谷燥红土和变性土上生长的植物叶片以及凋落叶营养元素含量,并分析养分重吸收效率对土壤类型与物种互作的响应.结果表明: 土壤类型对叶片N、P、Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn、Fe、N∶P以及凋落叶N、P、Mn、N∶P均有显著影响;燥红土植物叶片与凋落叶N、Mn含量和N∶P显著高于变性土,而燥红土植物叶片P、Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu、Zn和凋落叶P含量显著低于变性土.燥红土植物叶片N含量较变性土高34.8%,而P含量低40.0%;在叶片凋落时,N、P、K表现为重吸收,而其他元素呈富集状态.燥红土凋落叶Ca、Mg、Mn富集系数显著高于变性土.物种仅对叶片N含量有显著影响,物种与土壤交互作用对植物叶片和凋落叶元素含量影响不显著,表明各土壤类型对不同物种元素含量的影响方式较为一致.土壤类型对植物元素含量的影响可进一步作用于干热河谷植物凋落物分解、植物-土壤的养分反馈以及生物地球化学循环.     

增强的UV—B辐射对春小麦植株化学成分、真菌定殖和分解的影响

在UV－B辐射下,叶可溶性糖含量显著降低,叶可溶性蛋白含量和粗纤维含量以及茎粗纤维含量显著增加,而根粗纤维含量没有显著变化,在生长期接受UV－B辐射的叶和茎上,赭绿青霉和黑曲霉的定殖率显著增加,康宁木霉和出芽短梗霉的定殖率明显降低,而土曲霉的定殖率未受明显影响,这些叶和茎经过60d和100d的分解,分解率均显著增加,叶分解率与粗纤维含量和可溶性蛋白含量呈显著正相关,而与可溶性糖含量呈显著负相关,茎分解率与粗纤维含量呈显著正相关,在增强的UV－B辐射下,春小麦植株化学成分的变化,真菌定殖率的改变,分解率的增加,可能会导致麦田生态系统营养周转加快,土壤库中营养贮量增加。     

增强的UV-B辐射对春小麦植株化学成分、真菌定殖和分解的影响

在UVB辐射下,叶可溶性糖含量显著降低,叶可溶性蛋白含量和粗纤维含量以及茎粗纤维含量显著增加,而根粗纤维含量没有显著变化.在生长期接受UVB辐射的叶和茎上,赭绿青霉和黑曲霉的定殖率显著增加,康宁木霉和出芽短梗霉的定殖率明显降低,而土曲霉的定殖率未受明显影响.这些叶和茎经过60d和100d的分解,分解率均显著增加.叶分解率与粗纤维含量和可溶性蛋白含量呈显著正相关,而与可溶性糖含量呈显著负相关.茎分解率与粗纤维含量呈显著正相关.在增强的UVB辐射下,春小麦植株化学成分的变化,真菌定殖率的改变,分解率的增加,可能会导致麦田生态系统营养周转加快,土壤库中营养贮量增加.     

Direct and indirect effects of solar ultraviolet-B radiation on long-term decomposition

As a result of stratospheric ozone depletion, more solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280–315 nm) is reaching the Earth's surface. Enhanced levels of UV-B may, in turn, alter ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Solar UV-B radiation could affect decomposition both indirectly, by changes in the chemical composition of leaves during growth, or directly by photochemical breakdown of litter and through changes in decomposer communities exposed to sunlight. In this experiment, we studied indirect and direct effects of solar UV-B radiation on decomposition of barley (Hordeum vulgare). We used barley straw and leaf litter grown under reduced UV-B (20% of ambient UV-B) or under near-ambient UV-B (90% of ambient UV-B) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and decomposed the litter under reduced or near-ambient solar UV-B for 29 months in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. We found that the UV-B treatment applied during growth decreased the decay rate. On the other hand, there was a marginally significant direct effect of elevated UV-B during the early stages of decomposition, suggesting increased mass loss. The effect of UV-B during growth on decomposition was likely the result of changes in plant litter chemical composition. Near-ambient UV-B received during plant growth decreased the concentrations of nitrogen, soluble carbohydrates, and N/P ratio, and increased the concentrations of phosphorus, cellulose, UV-B-absorbing compounds, and lignin/N ratio. Thus, solar UV-B radiation affects the decomposition of barley litter directly and indirectly, and indirect effects are persistent for the whole decomposition period.     

Short-term impacts of enhanced UV-B radiation on photo-assimilate allocation and metabolism: a possible interpretation for time-dependent inhibition of growth

To test the hypothesis that plant source-sink relations are important in determining response to UV-B radiation, a short-term (45 d) field experiment was conducted at Abisko Scientific Research Station, Abisko, Sweden (68° N). Tillers of the grass Calamagrostis purpurea were grown outdoors at levels of UV-B radiation representing 25% ozone depletion. Growth, respiration, photo-assimilate allocation and UV-B protective compounds were subsequently measured.There were no significant effects of enhanced UV-B on total plant dry weight, leaf area, Shoot: Root ratio, leaf weight ratio, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, tiller number per plant or blade thickness of this species. However, the amount of UV-B absorbing compounds and respiration rates were significantly increased in young and mature leaves. Increases in leaf respiration were accompanied by alterations in plant carbohydrate allocation at enhanced UV-B. The amount of soluble root carbohydrates was reduced following UV-B exposure. Enhanced UV-B also caused increases in the soluble sugar: starch ratio of young leaves, the stem and total aboveground biomass. The importance of source-sink relations and constitutive versus induced defense are discussed in relation to UV-B response.     

Effects of UV-B radiation on seed yield of Glycine max and an assessment of F1 generation progeny for carryover effects

Glycine max (L.) Merr plants were grown outdoors in potted sand exposed to elevated ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation provided by filtered fluorescent lamps to determine the effects of UV-B on seed yield and UV-B-induced carryover effects in the F1 generation. Increased UV-B radiation had no detectable effects on reproductive parameters except for a reduction on seed number per plant and an increase in the number of unseeded pods per plant and dry weight of unseeded pods per plant in the field supplemental UV-B experiment. Studies on carryover effects in the greenhouse progeny growth trial also showed no effect of parental treatment with UV-B on biomass production, and most symbiotic-N traits and plant metabolite measured. However, the concentrations of N in nodules and starch in roots were significantly increased in the F1 generation progeny from elevated UV-B radiation relative to their F1 counterparts from ambient radiation. Assessing the effects of seed size on plant growth and symbiotic function in the F1 progeny showed that total biomass, dry matter yield of individual organs (leaves, stems, roots and nodules), total plant N and fixed-N rose with increasing seed size. Seed concentration of flavonoids was also enhanced with increasing seed size. These findings suggest that subtle changes did occur in the F1 generation progeny of parental plants exposed to elevated UV-B with potential to accumulate with further exposure to elevated UV-B radiation.     

Nutrient accumulation and distribution of wheat genotypes in response to waterlogging and nutrient supply

The effect of soil waterlogging and nutrient supply on plant nutrient accumulation and distribution was investigated for two genotypes of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in waterlogging resistance, Bayles and Savannah. Plants were grown in waterlogged or drained sand and fertilized with half-strength or full-strength Hoagland's solution.Waterlogging reduced the concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, and Zn in leaves and stems and increased the concentrations of those elements in the root system. The effects were greater for waterlogging-sensitive Bayles than for waterlogging-resistant Savannah. Higher concentrations of Fe and Mn were found in waterlogged plants compared to the control plants for sensitive Bayles. Waterlogging increased the proportion of N and Zn in the root system and decreased that of K in stems for Bayles. The proportion of Fe increased in leaves and stems for Bayles and Savannah under waterlogged conditions, but to a greater extent for Bayles. Doubling the concentrations of all major and minor nutrient elements supplied to the waterlogged rooting medium improved plant nutrient status and enhanced plant dry matter production.     

Accumulated effect of elevated ultraviolet-B radiation over multiple generations of the arid-environment annual Dimorphotheca sinuata DC. (Asteraceae)

Two D. sinuata populations, established from the same seed batch, were cultured concurrently under ambient (2.5–8.9 kj m^?2 d^?1) and enhanced (4.7–11.4 kj m^?2 d^?1) ultraviolet-B radiation for two consecutive generations. The two populations, designated low- and high-UV-B cultivars, were each grown for an additional generation under both UV-B fluences at different alignments. Differences in plant performance were examined between UV-B treatments (immediate UV-B effects), cultivars (accumulated UV-B effects), alignments and their interactions. Accumulated UV-B had a greater effect on plant performance than immediate UV-B. The former induced earlier reproductive effort, substantial (up to 35%) reductions in dry mass (stems, leaves and reproductive organs), decreased stem and inflorescence production, and diminished steady-state fluorescence yields, chlorophyll a concentrations, pollen tube growth and germination of seeds set. The latter caused only diminished non-photochemical quenching, reduced chlorophyll a, soluble sugar and starch concentrations, decreased pollen germination, and increased carotenoid contents. Interactions between UV-B fluence level and alignment occurred for all measured dry mass parameters, leaf area, photosynthetic pigment and soluble sugar concentrations, and germination success of seeds set. These results indicate altered DNA integrity rather than an indirect UV-B effect of photomorphogenic origin.     

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。     

Influence of Species of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphorus Nutrition on Growth,Development, and Mineral Nutrition of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Growth, development, and mineral physiology of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants in response to infection by three species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and different levels of P nutrition were characterized. P deficiency in no-P and low-P (0.5 mM) nonmycorrhizal plants developed between 28 and 84 d after planting. By 84 d after planting, P deficiency decreased plant relative growth rate such that no-P and low-P plants had, respectively, 65 and 45% less dry mass and 76 and 55% less total P than plants grown with high P (2.5 mM). A severe reduction in leaf area was also evident, because P deficiency induced a restriction of lateral bud growth and leaf expansion and, also, decreased the relative plant allocation of dry matter to leaf growth. Root growth was less influenced by P deficiency than either leaf or stem growth. Moreover, P-deficient plants accumulated a higher proportion of total available P than high-P plants, indicating that P stress had enhanced root efficiency of P acquisition. Plant P deficiency did not alter the shoot concentration of N, K, Mg, or Fe; however, the total accumulation of these mineral nutrients in shoots of P-stressed plants was substantially less than that of high-P plants. P uptake by roots was enhanced by each of the VAM symbionts by 56 d after planting and at all levels of abiotic P supply. Species differed in their ability to colonize roots and similarly to produce a plant growth response. In this regard, Glomus intraradices (Schenck and Smith) enhanced plant growth the most, whereas Glomus dimorphicum (Boyetchko and Tewari) was least effective, and Glomus mosseae ([Nicol. and Gerd.] Gerd. and Trappe) produced an intermediate growth response. The partial alleviation of P deficiency in no-P and low-P plants by VAM fungi stimulated uptake of N, K, Mg, Fe, and Zn. VAM fungi enhanced shoot concentrations of P, N, and Mg by 28 d after planting and, through a general improvement of overall plant mineral nutrition, promoted plant growth and development.     

Differential stimulation of an arid-environment winter ephemeral Dimorphotheca pluvialis (L.) Moench by ultraviolet-B radiation under nutrient limitation

A South African winter ephemeral D. pluvialis was exposed, under low and high nutrient conditions, to four different daily doses of biologically effective UV-B radiation. These simulated different depletions (range 0–30%) in the ozone layer at the southerly distribution limit (33° 56′S) of this species, and included daily UV-B doses received at the northerly distribution limit (26° 38′S) without ozone depletion. Growth inhibition by increased UV-B radiation was observed during early vegetative stages, but only under low nutrient conditions. Thereafter, net CO₂ assimilation rate, growth and reproduction were stimulated by an increase in UV-B radiation, though doses above those approximating a 20% ozone depletion appeared to be inhibitory. Differential stimulation occurred in the two nutrient treatments. Under high nutrient conditions, photosynthesis (specifically carboxylation efficiency), and numbers of leaves, inflorescences and diaspores per plant, and leaf areas increased, but leaf thickness decreased with increased UV-B radiation. Under low nutrient conditions, dry masses of leaves, stems, inflorescences and diaspores, and total above-ground dry masses increased with increased UV-B radiation. Foliar organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations and foliar concentrations of UV-B absorbing compounds were unaffected by increased UV-B radiation, but foliar P concentrations declined. Diaspore viability declined with increased UV-B radiation. The net effect was a 35 to 43% reduction in viable diaspore production under high nutrient conditions at UV-B doses equivalent to those currently received at the northerly distribution limit during the reproductive phase. It is concluded that anticipated increases in UV-B radiation could reduce regeneration success, and seedling survival in areas of low soil fertility, particularly at lower latitudes, and consequently increase the risk of localized population extinctions from stochastic causes.     

Effects of zinc toxicity on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plants grown in hydroponics

The effects of high Zn concentration were investigated in sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) plants grown in a controlled environment in hydroponics. High concentrations of Zn sulphate in the nutrient solution (50, 100 and 300 μ m ) decreased root and shoot fresh and dry mass, and increased root/shoot ratios, when compared to control conditions (1.2 μ m Zn). Plants grown with excess Zn had inward-rolled leaf edges and a damaged and brownish root system, with short lateral roots. High Zn decreased N, Mg, K and Mn concentrations in all plant parts, whereas P and Ca concentrations increased, but only in shoots. Leaves of plants treated with 50 and 100 μ m Zn developed symptoms of Fe deficiency, including decreases in Fe, chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations, increases in carotenoid/chlorophyll and chlorophyll a / b ratios and de-epoxidation of violaxanthin cycle pigments. Plants grown with 300 μ m Zn had decreased photosystem II efficiency and further growth decreases but did not have leaf Fe deficiency symptoms. Leaf Zn concentrations of plants grown with excess Zn were high but fairly constant (230–260 μg·g⁻¹ dry weight), whereas total Zn uptake per plant decreased markedly with high Zn supply. These data indicate that sugar beet could be a good model to investigate Zn homeostasis mechanisms in plants, but is not an efficient species for Zn phytoremediation.     

若干北方落叶树木叶片养分的内外迁移：Ⅰ.浓度和含量的变化

研究了北方 1 2个落叶树种单位面积叶干重、叶片灰分、有机物质和 7个元素的浓度和含量在落叶前后的变化 ,同一元素不同树种间及同一树种不同元素间有着不同的变化模式 .单位面积叶干重、叶片有机物质浓度和含量在落叶后均表现下降的趋势 ;所有树种叶片灰分浓度和大部分树种的灰分含量 (除刺槐、胡颓子、核桃楸外 )均有增加 ;落叶时 N、P、K的单位叶面积含量均可减少约 1 / 3～ 2 / 3;Mg含量的减少在胡颓子、核桃楸、春榆、蒙古栎、日本落叶松等 5个树种中发生 ,其余树种表现增加 ;落叶中 Fe含量除胡颓子下降外 ,其余均表现升高 ;落叶中 Ca、Si浓度和含量在所有分析树种中均表现增加趋势     

丛枝菌根真菌和施氮量对茶树生长、矿质元素吸收与茶叶品质的影响

采用盆栽法研究了不同施氮水平下接种丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhiza,AM）真菌Glomus mosseae对茶树生长、矿质元素吸收及茶叶品质的影响。结果表明,适量的施氮利于AM真菌的侵染和菌根发育,当施氮过量时则会抑制菌根发育。在不同施氮水平下接种AM真菌均提高了茶树地上部、地下部和总干物质量,其中又以接种AM真菌同时施氮量为0.53g kg-1的茶树总干物质量最大,为对照的1.63倍。不同矿质元素受AM真菌和氮肥的影响不一致,在一定施氮水平下接种AM真菌可提高茶树叶片中N、P、K、Ca、Zn和Fe含量,降低Mn和Cu含量;显著增加根中N、P、K、Mg和Zn含量,降低Mn含量,施高浓度的氮（1.06 g kg-1）显著降低了根系Ca和Fe含量。不同施氮水平下AM真菌处理可增加茶叶中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量,提高了茶叶中茶多酚、咖啡碱、氨基酸和水浸出物含量,降低酚氨比,显著改善茶叶品质。本实验条件下,茶树施氮量为0.53 g kg-1时,接种AM真菌改善茶叶品质的效果最佳。     

Distribution of selected elements within flax plants as affected by FeEDDHA

Summary Flax growing on a calcareous soil in the greenhouse developed Mn toxicity symptoms. The toxicity was eliminated by application of 2 ppm FeEDDHA-Fe. FeEDDHA had major effects on distribution of Mn, Zn, Fe and P among selected plant parts. Application of the chelate reduced Mn concentration in older leaves, the tissue most susceptible to Mn toxicity, associated stem tissue, plant tops, and roots from 2295 to 133 ppm, 62 to 7 ppm, 550 to 34 ppm, and 42 to 34 ppm, respectively. Analysis of older leaves is recommended for diagnosing Mn toxicity in flax.FeEDDHA reduced Zn concentration in plant tops and this was chiefly reflected in greatly reduced leaf concentrations, especially in older leaves. FeEDDHA increased plant Fe concentration and the effect was greatest in root and older leaf tissues. The overall effect of FeEDDHA on P concentration was small but large increases occurred in younger leaf tissue due to application of the chelate. Relative distributions of K, Na, Ca, and Mg among plant parts were only slightly affected by FeEDDHA.     

增强的UV—B辐射对麦田生态系统Mg和Zn累积和循环的影响

近 2 0多年以来 ,ＵＶ Ｂ辐射增加对植物个体的影响受到了广泛的关注 ,而对植物群体和生态系统的影响仍然知道的很少[2 ] 。仅见ＵＶ Ｂ辐射对副极地石南灌丛和沙丘草地生态系统物种结构、生长、物候和叶分解等方面有报道[3,4 ] 。ＵＶ Ｂ辐射影响植物Ｍｇ和Ｚｎ吸收和运转[5～ 7] ,但对营养累积和物质循环的影响了解甚少[3] 。因此 ,大田条件下 ,植物群体和生态系统水平的营养累积和物质循环对ＵＶ Ｂ辐射的响应与反馈的研究 ,对于真实评估ＵＶ Ｂ辐射对生态系统的影响是必不可少的[2 ] 。ＵＶ Ｂ辐射对春小麦生长、生理、群体结构、植物营…     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> effects on plant nutrient concentration depend on plant functional group and available nitrogen: a meta-analysis

Elevated CO₂ is expected to lower plant nutrient concentrations via carbohydrate dilution and increased nutrient use efficiency. Elevated CO₂ consistently lowers plant foliar nitrogen, but there is no consensus on CO₂ effects across the range of plant nutrients. We used meta-analysis to quantify elevated CO₂ effects on leaf, stem, root, and seed concentrations of B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, S, and Zn among four plant functional groups and two levels of N fertilization. CO₂ effects on plant nutrient concentration depended on the nutrient, plant group, tissue, and N status. CO₂ reduced B, Cu, Fe, and Mg, but increased Mn concentration in the leaves of N₂ fixers. Elevated CO₂ increased Cu, Fe, and Zn, but lowered Mn concentration in grass leaves. Tree leaf responses were strongly related to N status: CO₂ significantly decreased Cu, Fe, Mg, and S at high N, but only Fe at low N. Elevated CO₂ decreased Mg and Zn in crop leaves grown with high N, and Mn at low N. Nutrient concentrations in crop roots were not affected by CO₂ enrichment, but CO₂ decreased Ca, K, Mg and P in tree roots. Crop seeds had lower S under elevated CO₂. We also tested the validity of a “dilution model.” CO₂ reduced the concentration of plant nutrients 6.6% across nutrients and plant groups, but the reduction is less than expected (18.4%) from carbohydrate accumulation alone. We found that elevated CO₂ impacts plant nutrient status differently among the nutrient elements, plant functional groups, and among plant tissues. Our synthesis suggests that differences between plant groups and plant organs, N status, and differences in nutrient chemistry in soils preclude a universal hypothesis strictly related to carbohydrate dilution regarding plant nutrient response to elevated CO₂.     

Enhanced UV-B radiation under field conditions increases anthocyanin and reduces the risk of photoinhibition but does not affect growth in the carnivorous plant Pinguicula vulgaris

The effects of enhanced UV-B radiation were investigated in the carnivorous plant Pinguicula vulgaris in a field experiment performed in Abisko, North Sweden (68° 21' N, 18° 49' E, 380 m above sea level). Potted plants were exposed to either ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation, simulating a 15% ozone depletion. No effect was observed on either the epicuticular (external) or cellular (internal) UV absorbing capacity of the leaves. However, the anthocyanin content was more than doubled by supplemental UV-B radiation. In laboratory experiments, the anthocyanin rich, UV-B treated leaves were less susceptible to a low temperature/high light photoinhibitory treatment, as judged by in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. Yet, this potential benefit did not considerably affect the growth of the plant in the field (leaf area and dry mass, reproductive dry mass, flowering frequency, senescence rates, dry mass of winter buds). However, there was a marginally significant increase in root dry mass and in the root to shoot ratio, which may underlie the significant increase in the nitrogen content of the leaves. We suggest that P. vulgaris is resistant against UV-B radiation damage and that the possible negative effects of additional UV-B radiation on the growth of these plants may have been effectively counterbalanced by the lower risk of photoinhibition, due to the concomitant increase in anthocyanins.