UV‐excited chlorophyll fluorescence as a tool for the assessment of UV‐protection by the epidermis of plants

Recently, a new method for estimating epidermal transmission of UV radiation in higher plants has been proposed. The empirical evidence for the usefulness of this method is reviewed here. Direct comparison with spectroscopically determined epidermal transmission yielded equivalent results. A linear...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental botany 2001-10, Vol.52 (363), p.2007-2014
Main Authors: Bilger, Wolfgang, Johnsen, Trine, Schreiber, Ulrich
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acclimation
Acclimatization - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Botany - methods
Chlorophyll - radiation effects
Chlorophylls
Data transmission
Environmental impact
epidermal transmission
Epidermis
Fabaceae
Flavonoids
Fluorescence
Fluorometry - methods
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
leaf age
Leaves
Light beams
Mesophyll
Metabolism
Nondestructive examination
Photosynthesis, respiration. Anabolism, catabolism
Physiology and Ecology of Plants under Stress
Plant Epidermis - metabolism
Plant Epidermis - radiation effects
Plant Leaves - radiation effects
Plant physiology and development
Plants
Plants (botany)
Rye
Spectroscopic analysis
Ultraviolet Rays
UV‐B radiation
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Summary:Recently, a new method for estimating epidermal transmission of UV radiation in higher plants has been proposed. The empirical evidence for the usefulness of this method is reviewed here. Direct comparison with spectroscopically determined epidermal transmission yielded equivalent results. A linear correlation to the concentration of epidermal screening compounds has been shown. Relating UV‐A and UV‐B absorbance allowed some preliminary conclusions about the chemical nature of the screening compounds. A new portable apparatus is presented for the first time, which allows the non‐destructive assessment of UV‐A screening even under field conditions. Repeated measurements on identical leaves over a time‐course of 6 d demonstrated a strong age‐dependence in the capacity for the synthesis of UV‐A screening compounds upon exposure to UV‐B radiation. It is concluded that the new method may provide a valuable tool for the investigation of the acclimation of plants to UV‐B radiation and, when accompanied by HPLC analysis, of the reaction of phenolic metabolism to environmental stimuli.
ISSN:0022-0957
1460-2431
DOI:10.1093/jexbot/52.363.2007