Abstract
We explored the use of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on alleviating effects of UV-B light on winter wheat development. Triticum aestivum L. cv. Linyou 7287 seeds were irradiated with UV-B (10.08 kJ·m–2·d–1) (enhanced UV-B) and watered with either water or 100 μmol·L–1 SNP solution. Plants were also watered with the SNP alone. The results showed that enhanced UV-B produced negative effects on seedling development. Leaf length decreased and seedling biomass dropped significantly compared with the control. Photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) dropped, and chlorophyll and carotenoid content as well as the ATPase activity declined. Content of UV-absorbing compounds and activity of the POD increased compared to the control. Application of the SNP, a NO donor partially protected wheat seedlings exposed to elevated UV-B radiation in that their leaf lengths and biomass accumulation were enhanced compared to the UV-B treatment alone. SNP also improved the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid and UV-absorbing compounds in leaves. ATPase activity was enhanced but no influence on POD activity. Furthermore, the application of SNP alone showed a favorable effect on seedling growth compared with the control.
Highlights
Plants are sessile photoautotrophic organisms and must constantly adapt to surrounding environmental factors for optimal growth and development
Chloroplast is the photosynthesis organelle which is very sensitive to UV-B radiation, upon high dosage of UV-B radiation, yellow spots or streaks appeared on the treated leaf surfaces, which are attributed to decreased chlorophyll content and the possible injury on chloroplast [4]
We examined the effects of the exogenous nitric oxide on wheat seedling growth exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation
Summary
Plants are sessile photoautotrophic organisms and must constantly adapt to surrounding environmental factors for optimal growth and development. There is evidence of adverse effects of UV-B on plants including DNA damage and biomass reduction [1,2,3], and enhanced UV-B radiation has potentially harmful or even detrimental effects. Excessive radiation may lead to over-saturation of the photosynthetic light reactions, which eventually cause photo inhibitory damage to the photosynthetic apparatus [5]. The target of UV-B radiation is the membrane [6] which can be damaged by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the plant cell. Higher plants have evolved different mechanisms to resist the harm of ROS. These mechanisms are based on metabolic compounds and enzymes, including UV-absorbing substances and reactive oxygen species
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