BayForUV
BAVARIAN RESEARCH ORGANISATION ELEVATED SOLAR UV RADIATION IN BAVARIA - CONSEQUENCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
(B): Effects of UV radiation on plant production
UV-B radiation can penetrate plant cells and derange photosynthesis, physiological processes, and the genetic material of the plant. In cultivated plants the ensuing growth inhibition, necroses or other damages can eventually lead to economic damage by crop failure. It has been shown that UV-B radiation also induces flavonoid and antioxidant production which in turn could protect the plant against the damages caused by UV-B and oxidative stress. To further investigate this ability research projects of BayFORUV are focusing on the following questions:
> To what degree does UV-B radiation affect cultivated plants'
> To what degree can cultivated plants protect themselves against UV-B radiation, and is there a way to artificially induce the sun screening in the plant'
> Are cultivars detectable which are resistant against elevated UV radiation'