Effect of UV-B Radiation on Leaf Optical Properties Measured with Fibre Optics

Abstract

Changes in the internal light microenvironment in leaves of plants of Brassica campestris L. cv. Emma, B. carinata L., and Medicago saliva L. cv. Armour in response to exposure to UV-B (UV-B, 280–320 nm) radiation were measured using a fibreoptic microprobe. Plants were exposed for 2 weeks either to high visible light or to supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation. The spectral regime (400–700 nm; PAR) was measured either midway through the leaf palisade or the spongy mesophyll. After exposure to UV-B radiation leaves of Brassica campesiris attenuated transmitted light more than the controls. At the same time both forward and back scattered light increased in the palisade and spongy mesophylls. In contrast, UV-treatment of Medicago saliva leaves increased light transmission into the palisade, while the back scattered component showed little change. Leaves of cariiwla showed little change in response to UV. Other responses to UV-B radiation included increases in leaf thickness, decreased total chlorophyll content, and changes in UV-B screening pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics. Brassica campestris was most sensitive to exposure to enhanced levels of UV-B radiation, whereas leaves of B. carinata were the least sensitive. Our data indicate that exposure to UV-B radiation altered the light microenvironment within leaves of the species different ways. These changes appeared to be caused by alterations in pigment content and leaf anatomy. In turn, the altered distribution of PAR within the leaf could influence photosynthesis.