Jl. Smith et al., Shoot dry weight, chlorophyll and UV-B-absorbing compounds as indicators of a plant's sensitivity to UV-B radiation, ANN BOTANY, 86(6), 2000, pp. 1057-1063
When studying the effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on plants, a go
od measure of UV-B sensitivity is a decrease in dry weight, since this refl
ects the cumulative effect of many small disruptions in plant Function. Mea
surements of chlorophyll concentration and the level of UV absorbing compou
nds are also used to gauge plant health during and after UV-B exposure. Whe
n a variety of vegetable crop plants were screened for UV-tolerance, it was
found that the levels of chlorophyll and UV-absorbing compounds did not co
rrelate with sensitivity. Biomass accumulation was, however, correlated wit
h UV-sensitivity; plants that accumulated more biomass over a 2-week period
were more likely to be UV-B sensitive. This suggests that a rapid growth r
ate renders plants more sensitive to the injurious effects of UV-B radiatio
n. (C) 2000 Annals of Botany Company.