Effects of UV-B on activities of enzymes of secondary phenolic metabolism in barley primary leaves

Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown in a glasshouse with 13.56 or 8.84 kJ m⁻²: biologically effective UV-B (280–320 nm: UV-B_BE) simulating levels predicted to occur with 25 or 5% ozone depletion at 40°N latitude, with UV-A (320–400 mm), or with no supplemental irradiation. Activities of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5). chalcone-flavanone isomerase (CFI, EC 5.5.1.6) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) were determined from the 5th through the 30th day after planting. PAL regulates diversion of L-phenylalanine into precursors for secondary phenolics. CFI regulates an early step of flavonoid biosynthesis, and peroxidase activates phenolic precursors for cross-linking and rigidifying cell walls. At all ages UV-B decreased soluble protein leaf⁻¹ but had little effect on fresh weight or CFI activity. Exposure to UV-B decreased peroxidase activity only slightly in early growth stages but decreased it about 40% by day 30. PAL activity was highest 5 days after planting under all treatments, decreased thereafter, and was not detectable in control plants after day 10. UV-B prolonged PAL activity through day 15 in plants given the highest level of UV-B. This UV-B prolongation of PAL activity is correlated with, and is a likely underlying mechanism to explain, the UV-B- enhanced accumulation of flavonoids and ferulic acid in barley primary leaves. The results are discussed in terms of barley leaf adaptation to UV-B as developmental response dependent on conditions of plant growth.