Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and growth of terrestrial plants

  • Terrestrial photosynthesis
  • Minireview
  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The photosynthetic apparatus of some plant species appears to be well-protected from direct damage from UV-B radiation. Leaf optical properties of these species apparently minimizes exposure of sensitive targets to UV-B radiation. However, damage by UV-B radiation to Photosystem II and Rubisco has also been reported. Secondary effects of this damage may include reductions in photosynthetic capacity, RuBP regeneration and quantum yield. Furthermore, UV-B radiation may decrease the penetration of PAR, reduce photosynthetic and accessory pigments, impair stomatal function and alter canopy morphology, and thus indirectly retard photosynthetic carbon assimilation. Subsequently, UV-B radiation may limit productivity in many plant species. In addition to variability in sensitivity to UV-B radiation, the effects of UV-B radiation are further confounded by other environmental factors such as CO2, temperature, light and water or nutrient availability. Therefore, we need a better understanding of the mechanisms of tolerance to UV-B radiation and of the interaction between UV-B and other environmental factors in order to adequately assess the probable consequences of a change in solar radiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

Amax :

light and CO2 saturated rate of oxygen evolution

Ci:

internal CO2 concentration

Fv/Fm :

ratio of variable to total fluorescence yield

PAR:

photosynthetically active radiation (400–700 nm)

PS II:

Photosystem II

Φapp :

apparent quantum yield of photosynthesis

SLW:

specific leaf weight

UV-B:

ultraviolet-B radiation between 290–320 nm

References

  • Barnes PW, Flint SD and Caldwell MM (1987) Photosynthesis damage and protective pigments in plants from a latitudinal arctic/alpine gradient exposed to supplemental UV-B radiation in the field. Arctic and Alpine Research 19: 21–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes PW, Jordan PW, Gold WG, Flint SD and Caldwell MM (1988) Competition, morphology and canopy structure in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.) exposed to enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation. Funct Ecol 2: 319–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes PW, Flint SD and Caldwell MM (1990) Morphological responses of crops and weeds of different growth forms to ultraviolet-B radiation. Am J Bot 77: 1354–1360

    Google Scholar 

  • Beerhues L, Robenek H and Wiermann R (1988) Chalcone synthesis from spinach (Spinacia aleracea L.) II. Immunofluorescence and immunogold localization. Planta 173: 544–553

    Google Scholar 

  • Beggs CJ, Schneider-Ziebert U and Wellmann E (1986) UV-B radiation and adaptive mechanisms in plants. In: Worrest RC and Caldwell MM (eds) Stratospheric Ozone Reduction, Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Plant Life, pp 235–250. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyschlag W, Barnes PW, Flint SD and Caldwell MM (1988) Enhanced UV-B radiation has no effect on photosynthetic characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.) under greenhouse and field conditions. Photosynthetica 22: 516–525

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogenrieder A and Klein R (1978) Diets abhangigkeit der UV-empfindlichkeit von der lichtqualitat bel der aufzucht (Lactuca sativa L.). Angew Botanik 52: 283–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogenrieder A and Klein R (1982) Does solar UV influence the competitive relationship of higher plants? In: Calkins J (ed) The Role of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Marine Ecosystems, pp 641–649. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornman JF (1989) Target sites of UV-B radiation in photosynthesis of higher plants. J Photochem Photobiol 4: 145–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornman JF and Teramura AH (1993) Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on terrestrial plants. In: Young AR, Bjorn LO and Moan J (eds) Environmental UV Photobiology, Ch 14, pp 427–471, Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornman JF and Vogelmann TC (1991) The effect of UV-B radiation on leaf optical properties measured with fiber optics. J Exp Bot 42: 547–554

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandle JR, Campbell WF, Sisson WB and Caldwell MM (1977) Net photosynthesis, electron transport capacity and ultrastructure of Pisum sativum L. exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation. Plant Physiol 60: 165–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Robberecht R and Flint SD (1983) Internal filters: Prospects for UV-acclimation in higher plants. Physiol Plant 58: 445–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Robberecht R, Nowak RS and Billings WD (1982) Differential photosynthetic inhibition by ultraviolet radiation in species from the arctic-alpine life zone. Arctic and Alpine Res 14: 195–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell MM, Teramura AH and Tevini M (1989) The changing solar ultraviolet climate and the ecological consequences for higher plants. TREE 4: 363–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Cen Y and Bornman JF (1990) The response of bean plants to UV-B radiation under different irradiances of back-ground and visible light. J Exp Bot 41: 1489–1495

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark JB and Lister GR (1975) Photosynthetic action spectra of trees. II. The relationship of cuticle structure to the visible and ultraviolet spectral properties of needles from four coniferous species. Plant Physiol 55: 407–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Day TA, Vogelmann TC and DeLucia EH (1992) Are some plant life forms more effective than others in screening out ultraviolet-B radiation? Oecologia 83: 513–519

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLucia EH, Day TA and Vogelmann TC (1992) Ultraviolet-B and visible light penetration into needles of two subalpine conifers during foliar development. Plant Cell Environ 15: 921–929

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Surney SJ, Tschaplinski TJ, Edwards NT and Shugart LR (1993) Biological responses of two soybean cultivars exposed to enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation. Env Exp Bot 33: 347–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Dube LS and Bornman JF (1991) The response of young spruce seedlings to simultaneous exposure of ultraviolet-B radiation and cadmium. Plant Physiol Biochem 30: 761–767

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernbach E and Mohr H (1992) Photoreactivation of the UV light effect on growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. Trees 6: 232–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Gausman HW, Rodriguez RR and Escobar DE (1975) Ultraviolet radiation reflectance, transmittance and absorbance by plant leaf epidermises. Agron J 67: 720–724

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenburg BM, Gaba V, Canaani O, Malkin S, Mattoo AK and Edelman M (1989a) Separate photosensitizers mediate degradation of the 32-KDa Photosystem II reaction centre protein in the visible and UV spectral regions. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86: 6617–6620

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenburg BM, Gaba V, Mattoo AK and Edelman M (1989b) Degradation of the 32-KDa Photosystem II reaction center protein in UV, visible and far red light occurs through a common 23.5 KDa intermediate. Z Naturforsch 44: 450–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Han T and Kain JM (1993) Blue light photoreactivation in ultraviolet-irradiated young sporophytes of Alaria esculenta and Laminaria saccharina (Phaeophyta). J Phycol 29: 79–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen J, Lacis A, Rind D, Russel G, Fung I, Ashcraft P, Lebedeff S, Reudy R and Stone P (1986) The greenhouse effect: Projections of global climate change. In: Titus JG (ed) Effects of Changes in Stratospheric Ozone and Global Climate, pp 199–210. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwanzik W, Tevini M, Dohnt G, Voss M, Weiss W, Graber P and Renger G (1983) Action of UV-B radiation on photosynthetic primary reactions in spinach chloroplasts. Physiol Plant 58: 401–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Jagger J (1967) Introduction to Research in Ultraviolet Photobiology. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiayang L, Ou-Lee T, Raba R, Amundson RG and Last RL (1993) Arabidopsis flavonoid mutants are hypersensitive to UV-B radiation. The Plant Cell 5: 171–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan BR, He J, Chow WS and Anderson JM (1992) Changes in mRNA levels and polypeptide subunits of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in response to supplementary ultraviolet-B radiation. Plant Cell Environ 15: 91–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann MR (1978) The effect of ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation on Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine seedlings. UV-B Biological and Climatic Effects Research (BACER). Final Report EPA-IAG-D-0168, EPA, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer GF, Krizek DT and Mirecki RM (1992) Influence of photosynthetically active radiation and spectral quality on UV-B induced polyamine accumulation in soybean. Phytochem 31: 1119–1125

    Google Scholar 

  • Krizek DT, Kramer GF, Upadhyaya A and Mirecki RM (1993) UV-B response of cucumber seedlings grown under metal halide and high pressure sodium/deluxe lamps. Physiol Plant 88: 350–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Krupa SW and Kickert RN (1989) The greenhouse effect: Impacts of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, carbon dioxide (CO2), and ozone (O3) on vegetation. Env Pol 61: 263–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer B and Wellmann E (1990) Phytochrome induction of photoreactivation in Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings. Photochem Photobiol 52: 861–864

    Google Scholar 

  • McClure JW (1986) Physiology of flavonoids in plants. In: Cody V, Middleton E and Harborne JB (eds) Plant Flavonoids in Biology and Medicine: Biochemical, Pharmacological, and Structure-activity Relationships, pp 77–85. Alan Riss, Inc, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Melis A, Nemson JA and Harrison MA (1992) Damage to functional components and partial degradation of Photosystem II reaction center proteins upon chloroplast exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation. Biochim Biophys Acta 1100: 312–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Middleton EM and Teramura AH (1993) The role of flavonol glycosides and carotenoids in protecting soybean from UV-B damage. Plant Physiol 103: 741–752

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirecki RM and Teramura AH (1984) Effects of ultraviolet-B irradiance on soybean. The dependence of plant sensitivity on the photosynthetic photon flux directly during and after leaf expansion. Plant Physiol 74: 475–480

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr H and Drumm-Herrel H (1983) Coaction between phytochrome and blue/UV light in anthocyanin synthesis in seedlings. Physiol Plant 58: 408–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Murali NS and Teramura AH (1985) Effects of ultraviolet-B irradiance on soybean. VI. Influence of phosphorus nutrition on growth and flavonoid content. Physiol Plant 63: 413–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Murali NS, Teramura AH and Randall SK (1988) Response differences between two soybean cultivars with contrasting UV-B radiation sensitivities. Photochem Photobiol 47: 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Naidu SL, Sullivan JH, Teramura AH and DeLucia EH (1993) The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on photosynthesis of different needle age classes in field-grown loblolly pine. Tree Physiology 12: 151–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Negash L and Bjorn LO (1986) Stomatal closure by UV-B radiation. Physiol Plant 66: 360–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Orth AB, Teramura AH and Sisler HD (1990) Effects of UV-B radiation on fungal disease development in Cucumis sativus. Am J Bot 77: 1188–1192

    Google Scholar 

  • Panagopoulos I, Bornman JF and Bjorn LO (1992) Response of sugar beet plants to ultraviolet-B (280–320 nm) radiation and Cercospora leaf spot disease. Physiol Plant 84: 140–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Pang Q and Hays JB (1991) UV-B-inducible and temperature-sensitive photoreactivation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in Arabidopsis thaliane. Plant Physiol 95: 336–343

    Google Scholar 

  • Penkett SA (1990) Ultraviolet levels down not up. Nature 341: 283–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Quaite FE, Sutherland BM and Sutherland JC (1992) Action spectra for DNA damage in alfalfa lowers predicted impact of ozone depletion. Nature 358: 576–577

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed HE, Teramura AH and Kenworthy WJ (1992) Ancestral US soybean cultivars characterized for tolerance to ultraviolet-B radiation. Crop Sci 32: 1214–1219

    Google Scholar 

  • Renger G, Volker M, Eckert HJ, Frome R, Hohm-veit S and Graber P (1989) On the mechanism of Photosystem II deterioration by UV-B irradiation. Photochem Photobiol 49: 97–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Robberecht R and Caldwell MM (1978) Leaf epidermal transmittance and of ultraviolet radiation and its implications for plant sensitivity to ultraviolet-radiation induced injury. Oecologia (Berl) 32: 277–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Robberecht R and Caldwell MM (1983) Protective mechanisms and acclimation to solar ultraviolet-B radiation in Oenothera stricta. Plant Cell Environ 6: 477–485

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozema J, Lenssen GM and Van deStaaij JWM (1990) The combined effects of increased atmospheric CO2 and UV-B radiation on some agricultural and salt marsh species. In: Goudriaan J, VanKeulen H and VanLaar HH (eds) The Greenhouse Effect and Primary Productivity in European Agroecosystems, pp 68–71. Pudoc, Wageningen

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryel RJ, Barnes PW, Beyschlag W, Caldwell MM and Flint SD (1990) Plant competition for light analyzed with a multispecies canopy model. I. Model development and influenced of enhanced UV-B conditions on photosynthesis in mixed wheat and wild oat canopies. Oecologia 82: 304–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair TR, N'Diaye O and Biggs RH (1990) Growth and yield of field-grown soybean in response to enhanced exposure to UV-B radiation. J Environ Qual 19: 478–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisson WB (1981) Photosynthesis, growth and ultraviolet irradiance absorbance of Cucurbia pepo L. leaves exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation (280–315 nm). Plant Physiol 67: 120–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Smillie RM (1982) Chlorophyll fluorescence in vivo as a probe for rapid measurement of tolerance to ultraviolet radiation. Plant Sci Let 28: 283–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinmuller D and Tevini M (1985) Action of ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) upon cuticular waxes of some crop plants. Planta 164: 557–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Strid A and Porra RJ (1992) Alteration in pigment content in leaves of Pisium sativum after exposure to supplementary UV-B. Plant Cell Physiol 33: 1015–1023

    Google Scholar 

  • Strid A, Chow WS and Anderson JM (1990) Effects of supplementary ultraviolet-B radiation on photosynthesis in Pisium sativum. Biophys Biochim Acta 1020: 260–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH and Teramura AH (1989) The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on loblolly pine: 1. Growth, photosynthesis and pigment production in greenhouse-grown seedlings. Physiol Plant 77: 202–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH and Teramura AH (1990) Field study of the interaction between supplemental UV-B radiation and drought in soybean. Plant Physiol 92: 141–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH and Teramura AH (1992) The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on loblolly pines 2. Growth of field-grown seedlings. Trees 6: 115–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH and Teramura AH (1994) The effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on loblolly pine. 3. Interaction with CO2 enhancement. Plant Cell Environ (in press)

  • Sullivan JH, Teramura AH and Ziska LH (1992) Variation in UV-B sensitivity in plants from a 3000 m elevational gradient in Hawaii. Am J Bot 79: 737–743

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan JH, Teramura AH, Adamse P, Kramer GF, Upadhyaya A, Britz SJ, Krizek DT and Mirecki RM (1993) Comparison of the responses of soybean irradiated with contrasting UV-B delivery systems. In: Biggs RH (ed) Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Conference on Stratospheric Ozone Depletion/ UV-B Radiation in the Environment. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH (1987) Ozone depletion and plants. In: Assessing the Risks of Trace Gases That Can Modify the Stratosphere, Vol VIII. US EPA, Washington, DC, 116 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH (1990) Implication of stratospheric ozone depletion upon plant production. HortScience 25: 1557–1560

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH and Murali NS (1986) Intraspecific differences in growth and yield of soybean exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation under greenhouse and field conditions. Environ Exp Bot 26: 89–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Sullivan JH and Ziska LH (1990a) The interaction of elevated UV-B radiation and CO2 on productivity and photosynthesis in rice, wheat and soybean. Plant Physiol 94: 470–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Sullivan JH and Lydon J (1990b) The effectiveness of UV-B radiation in altering soybean yield: A six year field study. Physiol Plant 80: 5–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Teramura AH, Tevini M and Iwanzik W (1983) Effects of ultraviolet-B irradiance on plants during mild water stress. I. Effects on diurnal stomatal resistance. Physiol Plant 57: 175–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M and Teramura AH (1989) UV-B effects on terrestrial plants. Photochem Photobiol 50: 479–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M, Braun J and Fieser F (1991) The protective function of the epidermal layer of rye seedlings against ultraviolet-B radiation. Photochem Photobiol 53: 329–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M, Fieser G and Grusemann P (1988) Assessment of UV-B stress by chlorophyll fluorescence analysis. In: Lichtenthaler HK (ed) Applications of Chlorophyll Fluorescence, pp 229–238. Kluwer, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Tevini M and Steinmuller D (1987) Influence of light, UV-B radiation and herbicide on wax biosynthesis of cucumber seedlings. J Plant Physiol 131: 111–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Van TK, Garrard L and West SH (1977) Effects of 298 nm radiation on photosynthetic reactions of leaf discs and chloroplast preparations of some crop species. Env Exp Bot 17: 107–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Vu CV, Allen LH and Garrard LA (1984) Effects of UV-B radiation (280–320 nm) on ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in pea and soybean. Env Exp Bot 24: 131–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner CW and Caldwell MM (1983) Influence of photon flux density in the 400–700 nm waveband of inhibition of photosynthesis by UV-B (280–320 nm) irradiation in soybean leaves: Separation of indirect and immediate effects. Photochem Photobiol 38: 341–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellmann E (1983) UV radiation: Definitions, characteristics and general effects. In: Shropshire W and Mohr H (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, New Series, Vol 16B, pp 745–756. Springer-Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziska LH and Teramura AH (1992) CO2 enhancement of growth and photosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa). Modifications by increased ultraviolet-B radiation. Plant Physiol 99: 473–481

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziska LH, Teramura AH and Sullivan JH (1992) Physiological sensitivity to plants along an elevational gradient to UV-B radiation. Am J Bot 79: 863–871

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziska LH, Teramura AH, Sullivan JH and McCoy A (1993) Influence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on photosynthetic and growth characteristics in field-grown cassava (Manihot esculentum Crantz). Plant Cell Environ 16: 73–79

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Alan H. Teramura

    Present address: College of Natural Sciences, University of Hawaii, 96822, Honolulu, HI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Maryland, 20742, College Park, MD, USA

    Alan H. Teramura & Joe H. Sullivan

Authors
  1. Alan H. Teramura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joe H. Sullivan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Teramura, A.H., Sullivan, J.H. Effects of UV-B radiation on photosynthesis and growth of terrestrial plants. Photosynth Res 39, 463–473 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014599

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014599

Key words

Search

Navigation