Ultraviolet-B induced changes in morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of two cultivars of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 100; pp. 178 - 187
• Main Authors: Choudhary, Krishna Kumar, Agrawal, S.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01-02-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Antioxidant enzymes; Biological and medical sciences; Carbohydrate content; Catalase - metabolism; Economic plant physiology; Flavonoids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities; Jasmonic and salicylic acid; Nitrate Reductase - metabolism; Nitrogen Fixation - radiation effects; Nitrogen metabolism; Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; Oxidative Stress - radiation effects; Photosynthesis - drug effects; Pisum sativum - radiation effects; Salicylic Acid - metabolism; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Ultraviolet Rays; Yield; NSPP; WSPPo; Antioxidant enzymes; DAG; Jasmonic and salicylic acid; SC; Flavonoids; Nitrogen metabolism; WSPP; TFAA; TSS; Yield; SP; Carbohydrate content; Vegetables; Hydrogen peroxide; Flavonoid; Field experiment; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Plant growth substance; Carbohydrate; Salicylates; Salicylic acid; Terpenoid; Biochemical analysis; UVB radiation; Antioxidant; Nitrogen; Metabolism; Pea; Non steroidal antiinflammatory agent; Leguminosae; Morphology; Pisum sativum; Monoterpene; Spermatophyta; Cultivar; seed protein; number of seeds plant(−1): NSPPo: number of seeds pod(-1); total soluble sugars; weight of seeds plant(-1); starch content; weight of seeds pod(-1); total free amino acids; days after germination
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.10.032

Increase in perception of solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on Earth’s surface due to anthropogenic activities has potential in causing detrimental effects on plants. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of elevated UV-B on Pisum sativum L., a leguminous plant with emphasis on nitrogen metabolism, flavonoids and hormonal changes. Elevated UV-B (ambient+7.2kJm−2 day−1) negatively affected the growth, biomass, yield and its quality by generating oxidative stress directly or due to elevation of salicylic acid in two cultivars with higher magnitude being observed in HUP-2 as compared to HUDP-15. The increased accumulation of flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol) under elevated UV-B neither provided sufficient protection to the photosynthetic machinery nor helped in elevation of biological nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation and its assimilation were negatively affected under elevated UV-B as observed by the decline in nitrogenase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase activities and leghaemoglobin contents. Higher accumulation of salicylic acid in HUP-2 might be associated with its higher degree of sensitivity against UV-B, while higher induction of jasmonic acid and antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities) provided resistance to HUDP-15 against applied stress vis-a-vis exhibited less reduction in biomass, yield and quality of produce.
•Jasmonic and salicylic acid played important role in deciding the sensitivity of pea cultivars.•Higher accumulation of jasmonic acid helped in providing the better protection against UV-B.•Salicylic acid might be responsible for H2O2 accumulation leading to more oxidative stress in test plants.•UV-B induced changes in flavonoids concentration led to reduction in biological nitrogen fixation.