The effect of reduced UV-B radiation on plants

Yellow arrow indicates erosion caused in the epicuticular wax layer of a poplar leaf by UV-B radiation (Poplar grown under a roof which allowed 72% UV-B radiation through).

In contrast, the right hand picture shows the result of 100% UV-B filtration). Photos SEM lab, WSL

Plants are influenced by the depletion of stratospherical ozone on one hand (causes increased UV-B radiation in clean air regions) and increased tropospherical ozone and cloud formation by smog on the other hand. Depending on the site, the UV-B radiation therefore may either increase or decrease in the coming years.

In addition to the experiments with elevated UV-B radiation, which have been carried out in other countries, we decreased natural UV-B radiation partially or entirely by different plexiglas filters. Reduced UV-B radiation induced in poplar an increased leaf area, assimilatory starch production, and epicuticular wax, but decreased anthocyan content. Interesting results are also expected through the comparison of the anthocyanidine content under reduced UV-B and that under increased ozone, heavy metals, or elevated CO2.

Publication

• Günthardt-Goerg M.S., 1996: Leaf surface features (Populus x euramericana and Populus tremula) developed under lowered or ambient UV-B radiation. Plt. Biol. Abstracts, SEB Ann. Meeting. J. Exp. Bot. 47 (suppl.): 58.

• Poster to the publication above (PDF, 160 KB)

Contact

• Madeleine S. Goerg-Günthardt