Photosynthetica 2014, 52(2):262-271 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-014-0029-6

Maize growth and developmental responses to temperature and ultraviolet-B radiation interaction

S. K. Singh2, K. R. Reddy1, V. R. Reddy2,*, W. Gao3
1 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, USA
2 Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, USA
3 USDA-UV-B Monitoring Network, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA

Plant response to the combination of two or more abiotic stresses is different than its response to the same stresses singly. The response of maize (Zea mays L.) photosynthesis, growth, and development processes were examined under sunlit plant growth chambers at three levels of each day/night temperatures (24/16°C, 30/22°C, and 36/28°C) and UV-B radiation levels (0, 5, and 10 kJ m-2 d-1) and their interaction from 4 d after emergence to 43 d. An increase in plant height, leaf area, node number, and dry mass was observed as temperature increased. However, UV-B radiation negatively affected these processes by reducing the rates of stem elongation, leaf area expansion, and biomass accumulation. UV-B radiation affected leaf photosynthesis mostly at early stage of growth and tended to be temperature-dependent. For instance, UV-B radiation caused 3-15% decrease of photosynthetic rate (P N) on the uppermost, fully expanded leaves at 24/16°C and 36/28°C, but stimulated P N about 5-18% at 30/22°C temperature. Moreover, the observed UV-B protection mechanisms, such as accumulation of phenolics and waxes, exhibited a significant interaction among the treatments where these compounds were relatively less responsive (phenolics) or more responsive (waxes) to UV-B radiation at higher temperature treatments or vice versa. Plants exposed to UV-B radiation produced more leaf waxes except at 24/16°C treatment. The detrimental effect of UV-B radiation was greater on plant growth compared to the photosynthetic processes. Results suggest that maize growth and development, especially stem elongation, is highly sensitive to current and projected UV-B radiation levels, and temperature plays an important role in the magnitude and direction of the UV-B mediated responses.

Keywords: photosynthesis; phenolic compounds, stem elongation, waxes

Received: April 14, 2013; Accepted: September 12, 2013; Published: June 1, 2014Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Singh, S.K., Reddy, K.R., Reddy, V.R., & Gao, W. (2014). Maize growth and developmental responses to temperature and ultraviolet-B radiation interaction. Photosynthetica, 52(2), 262-271. doi: 10.1007/s11099-014-0029-6.
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)

    • Open full article

    References

    1. Allen, D.J., Nogues, S., Baker, N.R.: Ozone depletion and increased UV-B radiation: Is there a real threat to photosynthesis? - J. Exp. Bot. 49: 1775-1788, 1998.
    2. Ballare, C.L., Caldwell, M.M., Flint, S.D., Robinson, A., Bornman, J.F.: Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on terrestrial ecosystems. Patterns, mechanisms, and interactions with climate change. - Photoch. Photobio. Sci. 10: 226-241, 2011. Go to original source...
    3. Caldwell, M.M., Robberecht, R.D., Flint, S.: Internal filters: prospects for UV-acclimation in higher plants. - Physiol. Plantarum 58: 445-450, 1983. Go to original source...
    4. Casati, P., Walbot, V.: Gene expression profiling in response to ultraviolet radiation in maize genotypes with varying flavonoid content. - Plant Physiol. 132: 1739-1754, 2003. Go to original source...
    5. Correia, C.M., Areal, E.L.V., Torres-Pereira, M.S., Torres-Pereira, J.M.G.: Intraspecific variation in sensitivity to ultraviolet-B radiation in maize grown under field conditions. I. Growth and morphological aspects. - Field Crop. Res. 59: 81-89, 1998.
    6. Correia, C.M., Areal, E.L.V., Torres-Pereira, M.S., Torres-Pereira, J.M.G.: Intraspecific variation in sensitivity to ultraviolet-B radiation in maize grown under field conditions: II. Physiological and biochemical aspects. - Field Crop. Res. 62: 97-105, 1999. Go to original source...
    7. Ebercon, A., Blum, A., Jordan, W.R.: A rapid colorimetric method for epicuticular wax content of sorghum leaves. - Crop Sci. 17: 179-180, 1977. Go to original source...
    8. FAO, 2011: Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations (online). http://faostat3.fao.org/home/index.html#DOWNLOAD. FAO, Rome, Italy.
    9. Fleisher, D.H., Timlin, D.J., Yang, Y., Reddy, V.R., Reddy, K.R.: Uniformity of soil-plant-atmosphere-research chambers. - T. ASABE 52: 1721-1731, 2009. Go to original source...
    10. Gao, W., Zheng, Y.F., Slusser, J.R., et al.: Effects of supplementary ultraviolet-B irradiance on maize yield and qualities: A field experiment. - Photochem. Photobiol. 80: 127-131, 2004. Go to original source...
    11. Genty, B., Briantais, J.M., Baker, N.R.: The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. - Biochim. Biophys. Acta 990: 87-92, 1989. Go to original source...
    12. Hectors, K., Prinsen, E., De Coen, W., Jansen, M.A.K., Guisez, Y.: Arabidopsis thaliana plants acclimated to low dose rates of ultraviolet B radiation show specific changes in morphology and gene expression in the absence of stress symptoms. - New Phytol. 175: 255-270, 2007. Go to original source...
    13. IPCC. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. - In.: Solomon, S., Qin, D., Manning, M. et al. (ed.): Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Pp- 999. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2007.
    14. Jansen, M.A.K.: Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on plants: induction of morphogenic responses. - Physiol. Plantarum 116: 423-429, 2002. Go to original source...
    15. Kakani, V.G., Reddy, K.R., Zhao, D., Gao, W.: Senescence and hyperspectral reflectance of cotton leaves exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation and carbon dioxide. - Physiol. Plantarum 121: 250-257, 2004. Go to original source...
    16. Kim, S.H., Gitz, D.C., Sicherb, R.C., et al.: Temperature dependence of growth, development, and photosynthesis in maize under elevated CO2. - Environ. Exp. Bot. 61: 224-236, 2007. Go to original source...
    17. Koti, S., Reddy, K.R., Kakani, V.G., Zhao, D., Gao, W.: Effects of carbon dioxide, temperature and ultraviolet-B radiation and their interactions on soybean (Glycine max L.) growth and development. - Environ. Exp. Bot. 60: 1-10, 2007. Go to original source...
    18. Li, Y., He, L., Zu, Y.: Intraspecific variation in sensitivity to ultraviolet-B radiation in endogenous hormones and photosynthetic characteristics of 10 wheat cultivars grown under field conditions. - S. Afr. J. Bot. 76: 493-498, 2010. Go to original source...
    19. Lichtenthaler, H.K.: Chlorophylls and carotenoids: Pigments of photosynthesis. - Method. Enzymol. 148: 350-382, 1987. Go to original source...
    20. Lobell, D.B., Burke, M.B., Tebaldi, C., et al.: Prioritizing climate change adaptation needs for food security in 2030. - Science 319: 607-610, 2008. Go to original source...
    21. Mark, U., Saile-Mark, M., Tevini, M.: Effects of solar UVB radiation on growth, flowering and yield of central and southern european maize cultivars (Zea mays L.). - Photochem. Photobiol. 64: 457-463, 1996. Go to original source...
    22. Mark, U., Tevini, M.: Effects of solar ultraviolet-B radiation, temperature and CO2 on growth and physiology of sunflower and maize seedlings. - Plant Ecol. 128: 224-234, 1997. Go to original source...
    23. Martineau, J.R., Williams, J.H., Specht, J.E.: Tolerance in soybean. II. Evaluation of segregating populations for membrane thermostability. - Crop Sci. 19: 79-81, 1979. Go to original source...
    24. McKenzie, R.L., Aucamp, P.J., Bais, A.F., Björn, L.O., Ilyas, M.: Changes in biologically active ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface. - Photoch. Photobio. Sci. 6: 218-231, 2007. Go to original source...
    25. Mercier, J., Baka, M., Reddy, B., Corcuff, R., Arul, J.: Shortwave ultraviolet irradiation for control of decay caused by Botrytis cinerea in bell pepper: Induced resistance and germicidal effects. - J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 126: 128-133, 2001. Go to original source...
    26. Mittler, R.: Abiotic stress, the field environment and stress combination. - Trends Plant Sci. 11: 15-19, 2006. Go to original source...
    27. Nogués, S., Baker, N.R.: Evaluation of the role of damage to photosystem II in the inhibition of CO2 assimilation in pea leaves on exposure to UV-B radiation. - Plant Cell Environ. 18: 781-787, 1995. Go to original source...
    28. Qaderi, M. M., Basraon, N. K., Chinnappa, C.C., Reid, D. M.: Combined effects of temperature, ultraviolet-B radiation, and watering regime on growth and physiological processes in canola (Brassica napus) seedlings. - Int. J. Plant Sci. 171: 466-481, 2010. Go to original source...
    29. Qu, Y., Feng, H.Y., Wang, Y.B., et al.: Nitric oxide functions as a signal in ultraviolet-B induced inhibition of pea stems elongation. - Plant Sci. 170: 994-1000, 2006. Go to original source...
    30. Reddy, K.R., Hodges, H.F., Read, J.J., et al.: Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research (SPAR) facility: A tool for plant research and modeling. - Biotronics 30: 27-50, 2001.
    31. Reddy, K.R., Kakani, V.G., Zhao, D., Mohammed, A.R., Gao, W.: Cotton responses to ultraviolet-B radiation: experimentation and algorithm development. - Agr. Forest. Meteorol. 120: 249-265, 2003. Go to original source...
    32. Reddy, K.R., Kakani, V.G., Zhao, D., Koti, S., Gao, W.: Interactive effects of ultraviolet-B radiation and temperature on cotton physiology, growth, development and hyperspectral reflectance. - Photochem. Photobiol. 79: 416-427, 2004. Go to original source...
    33. Reddy, K.R., Singh, S.K., Koti, S., et al.: Quantifying corn growth and physiological responses to ultraviolet-B radiation for modeling. - Agron. J. 105: 1367-1377, 2013. Go to original source...
    34. Ros, J., Tevini, M.: UV-radiation and indole-3-acetic acid: Interactions during growth of seedlings and hypocotyl segments of sunflower. - J. Plant Physiol. 146: 295-302, 1995. Go to original source...
    35. Rozema, J., van de Staaij, J., Björn, L.O., Caldwell, M.: UV-B as an environmental factor in plant life: stress and regulation. - Trends Ecol. Evol. 12: 22-28, 1997. Go to original source...
    36. Singh, S.K., Kakani, V.G., Brand, D., Baldwin, B., Reddy, K.R.: Assessment of cold and heat tolerance of winter-grown canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars by pollen-based parameters. - J. Agron. Crop Sci. 194: 225-236, 2008a. Go to original source...
    37. Singh, S.K., Surabhi, G.-K., Gao, W., Reddy, K.R.: Assessing genotypic variability of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) to current and projected ultraviolet-B radiation. - J. Photoch. Photobio. B 93: 71-81, 2008b. Go to original source...
    38. Singh, S.K., Kakani, V.G., Surabhi, G.K., Reddy, K.R.: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) genotypes response to multiple abiotic stresses. - J. Photoch. Photobio. B 100: 135-146, 2010. Go to original source...
    39. Singh, S.K., Reddy, K.R.: Regulation of photosynthesis, fluorescence, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) under drought. - J. Photoch. Photobio. B 105: 40-50, 2011. Go to original source...
    40. Singh, S.K., Badgujar, G., Reddy, V.R., Fleisher, D.H., Bunce, J.A.: Carbon dioxide diffusion across stomata and mesophyll and photobiochemical processes as affected by growth CO2 and phosphorus nutrition in cotton. - J. Plant Physiol. 170: 801-813, 2013. Go to original source...
    41. Tao, F., Zhang, Z.: Impacts of climate change as a function of global mean temperature: Maize productivity and water use in China. - Climatic Change 105: 409-432, 2011. Go to original source...
    42. Teramura, A.H.: Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on the growth and yield of crop plants. - Physiol. Plantarum 58: 415-427, 1983. Go to original source...
    43. Teramura, A.H., Sullivan, J.H., Lydon, J.: Effects of UV-B radiation on soybean yield and seed quality: a 6-year field study. - Physiol. Plantarum 80: 5-11, 1990. Go to original source...
    44. Tollenaar, M.: Response of dry matter accumulation in maize to temperature: I. Dry matter partitioning. - Crop Sci. 29: 1239-1246, 1989a. Go to original source...
    45. Tollenaar, M.: Response of dry matter accumulation in maize to temperature: II. Leaf photosynthesis. - Crop Sci. 29: 1275-1279, 1989b. Go to original source...
    46. Yin, L.N., Wang, S.W.: Modulated increased UV-B radiation affects crop growth and grain yield and quality of maize in the field. - Photosynthetica 50: 595-601, 2012. Go to original source...
    47. Zhao, D., Reddy, K.R., Kakani, V.G., Read, J.J., Sullivan, J.H.: Growth and physiological responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to elevated carbon dioxide and ultraviolet-B radiation under controlled environmental conditions. - Plant Cell Environ. 26: 771-782, 2003. Go to original source...

    Return to the content