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The sensitivity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants to UV-B radiation is altered by nitrogen status

A sensibilidade das plantas de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) à radiação UV-B é alterada pelo suprimento de nitrogênio

ABSTRACT:

Interaction effects between nitrogen and UV-B radiation were studied in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. variety IAC-Iarama) plants grown in a greenhouse under natural photoperiod conditions. Plants were irradiated with 0.8W m-2 (control) or 8.0W m-2 (+UV-B) of UV-B radiation for 7h per day. The plants were grown in pots containing vermiculite and watered with 70% of full strength nitrogen-free Long Ashton solution, containing either low (42.3ppm) or high (282ppm) nitrogen as ammonium nitrate. High nitrogen increased dry matter of stem, leaves and shoot, photosynthetic pigments and photosynthesis (A) without any alteration in stomatal conductance (gs) nor transpiration (E) while it reduced the intercellular CO2 (Ci) concentration, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. High UV-B radiation had negative effects on dry matter production, A, gs and E with the effects more marked under high nitrogen, whereas it increased Ci under high nitrogen. Activity of PG-POD was reduced by high UV-B radiation under low nitrogen but it was not changed under high nitrogen. The UV-B radiation increased the MDA content independently of nitrogen level. Results indicate that the effects of UV-B radiation on sunflower plants are dependent of nitrogen supply with high nitrogen making their physiological processes more sensitive to UV-B radiation.

Key words:
antioxidants; growth; malondialdehyde; peroxidation; photosynthesis

RESUMO:

Os efeitos da interação entre nitrogênio e a radiação UV-B foram estudados em plantas de girassol (Helianthus annuus L. variedade IAC-Iarama), cultivadas em casa de vegetação sob condições fotoperiódicas naturais. As plantas foram irradiadas com 0.8W m-2 (controle) ou 8.0W m-2 (+UV-B) durante 7h por dia. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos contendo vermiculita e regadas com solução nutritiva de Long Ashton 70%, contendo baixa (42,3ppm) ou alta (282ppm) dose de nitrogênio na forma de nitrato de amônio. A alta dose de nitrogênio aumentou a matéria seca das folhas, caule e parte aérea, pigmentos fotossintéticos e a fotossíntese (A), sem alterar a condutância estomática (gs) ou transpiração (E), enquanto reduziu a concentração intercelular de CO2 (Ci) e o conteúdo de malondialdeído (MDA). A elevada radiação UV-B reduziu a produção de matéria seca, A, gs e E, sendo os efeitos mais acentuados sob alta dose de nitrogênio, enquanto aumentou Ci sob alta dose de nitrogênio. A atividade da PG-POD foi reduzida sob alta radiação UV-B e baixo nitrogênio, mas não foi alterada sob alta dose de nitrogênio. A radiação UV-B aumentou o conteúdo de MDA independente do nitrogênio. Os resultados indicam que os efeitos da radiação UV-B em plantas de girassol são dependentes da disponibilidade de nitrogênio sendo que a alta dose de nitrogênio torna seus processos fisiológicos mais sensíveis à radiação UV-B.

Palavras-chave:
antioxidantes; crescimento; malondialdeído; peroxidação; fotossíntese

INTRODUCTION:

Although, a recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer is expected due to the Montreal Protocol, this recovery is very slow due to the long lifetime of CFCs and the fact that previously undetected ozone-depleting substances were reported in the atmosphere which have been increasing in recent years (LAUBE et al., 2014LAUBE, J.C. et al. Newly detected ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere. Nature Geoscience, v.7, p.266-269, 2014. Available from: http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v7/n4/ ndex.html>. Accessed: Jun. 01, 2017. doi: 10.1038/NGEO210.
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v7/n4...
). Exposure to high UV-B radiation has negative effects on plant growth as a consequence of reduced photosynthesis and DNA damage (FROHNMEYER & STAIGER, 2003FROHNMEYER, H.; STAIGER, D. Ultraviolet-B radiation-mediated responses in plants. Balancing damage and protection. Plant Physiology , v.133, p.1420-1428, 2003. doi: 10.1104/pp.103.030049.
https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.103.030049...
). Under stressful conditions, such as high UV-B radiation, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been observed (YAO & LIU, 2007YAO, X.; LIU, Q. Changes in photosynthesis and antioxidant defenses of Picea asperata seedlings to enhanced ultraviolet-B and to nitrogen supply. Physiologia Plantarum , v.129, p.364-374, 2007. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2006.00815.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2006...
), thus resulting in an oxidative stress as a consequence of alteration in the balance between oxidant and antioxidant. In order to minimize and protect the cell against the harmful effects of ROS, plants posses an efficient ROS-scavenging system consisting of enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds that work together to maintain ROS homeostasis (YOU & CHAN, 2015YOU, J.; CHAN, Z. ROS regulation during abiotic stress responses in crop plants. Frontiers in Plant Science , v.6, Article 1092, 2015. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01092>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01092.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.01092...
).

Sensitivity of plant growth to nitrogen fertilization is of great importance in agriculture since nitrogen deprivation reduces the leaf production, individual leaf area and total leaf area (VOS & BIEMOND, 1992VOS, J.; BIEMOND, K. Effects of nitrogen on development and growth of the potato plant. 1. Leaf appearance, expansion growth, life spans of leaves and stem branching. Annals of Botany, v.70, p.27-35, 1992. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a088435>. Accessed: May 31, 2017.
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), resulting in a reduced area for light interception for photosynthesis. Nitrogen is a component of photosynthetic apparatus which is located in the choloroplast and an essential element for amino acids and protein synthesis. In addition, all enzymatic and some non-enzymatic antioxidants contain nitrogen, indicating that plants grown under lower nitrogen availability possess a lower antioxidant capacity (LIN et al., 2011LIN, Y.L. et al. Effect of nitrogen deficiency on antioxidant status and Cd toxicity in rice seedlings. Plant Growth Regulation, v.64 p.263-273, 2011. Available from: <https://link-springer-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/article/10.1007%2Fs10725-011-9567-0>. doi: 10.1007/s10725-011-9567-0.
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). In nature, plants grow under a combination of environmental stresses which can be lethal or not to them depending on the interaction between the stressors. Due to the importance of nitrogen for plant growth and the harmful effect of UV-B, the objective of this study was to analyse the influence of nitrogen supply and enhanced UV-B radiation on growth, gas exchange characteristics, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic antioxidants of sunflower plants grown in a greenhouse. We hypothesized that the response of sunflower plants to UV-B radiation would change with the level of nitrogen supply.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. variety IAC-Iarama) were sown in 4L pots filled with vermiculite. Seedlings were thinned to one per pot after emergency and were grown in a greenhouse made of policarbonate situated at the city of Bauru (22o21’28”S, 49o01’37”W), São Paulo, Brazil under natural light:dark length ratio. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures were 34 and 22oC, respectively. The plants were supplied with 300mL of 70% of full strength nitrogen-free Long Ashton solution (HEWITT, 1966HEWITT, E.J. 1966. Sand and Water Culture Methods Used in the Study of Plant Nutrition. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Farnham Royal, England, 1966. 547p.), containing either low (42.3ppm) or high (282ppm) nitrogen as ammonium nitrate three times a week, and with tap water on the other days.

UV-B radiation was supplied by 40W fluorescent sunlamps (UVB-313, Q-Panel Co., Cleveland, USA) held in mobile adjustable frames over the plants as described by CECHIN et al. (2008CECHIN, I. et al. Ultraviolet-B and water stress effects on growth, gas exchange and oxidative stress in sunflower plants. Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, v.47, p.405-413, 2008. Available from: https://link-springer-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/article/10.1007/ s00411-008-0167-y>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1007/s00411-008-0167-y.
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). The UV-B radiation near the top of the plants was 0.8W m-2 for control plants or 8.0W m-2 for treated plants. Plants were irradiated with UV-B for 7h per day, centered around solar noon. The UV-B radiation and nitrogen supply treatments were initiated five days after sowing. Maximum photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) intensity at noon time under a clear sky of a summer day was about 2,100µmol m-2 s-1. In the greenhouse, solar UV-B radiation was virtually absent, and PAR intensity was nearly 70% of that measured outside under clear sky conditions due to polycarbonate transmission characteristics. Plants were subjected to one of the following treatments: (a) low nitrogen supply and low UV-B (low N+low UV-B), (b) low nitrogen supply and high UV-B (low N+high UV-B), (c) high nitrogen supply and low UV-B (high N+low U-VB), and (d) high nitrogen supply and high UV-B (high N+high UV-B).

Measurements of photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration (E) and intercellular CO2 concentration (C i ) were made after 21 days of treatment on the youngest fully expanded leaves by using a portable infra-red gas analyser (LCpro, ADC, Hoddesdon, UK). Measurements were taken between 8 and 10am inside the greenhouse under ambient temperature, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and water vapour pressure of air. Photosynthetic photon flux density of 1,200μmol m-2 s-1 was supplied by a light unit mounted on the top of leaf chamber.

After photosynthetic measurements were taken, photosynthetic pigments were extracted on three leaf discs colected from each plant in 80% aqueous acetone and the content was calculated according to the equations proposed by LICHTENTHALER (1987LICHTENTHALER, H.K. Chlorophylls and carotenoids: pigment photosynthetic biomembranes. Methods Enzymology, v.148, p.362-385, 1987.). Soluble protein was determined according to LOWRY et al. (1951LOWRY, O.H. et al. Protein measurements with the poliphenol reagent. Journal Biological Chemistry, v.193, p.265-275, 1951.) and its content used to express the activity of pirogalol peroxidase (PG-POD). Extraction of peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7) was performed according to EKLER et al. (1993EKLER, Z. et al. Safener effects on acctochlor toxity, uptake, metabolism and glutathione S-transferase activity in maize. Weed Research, v.33, p.311-318, 1993. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3180.1993.tb01946.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3180.1993...
) and its activity was determined according to TEISSEIRE & GUY (2000TEISSEIRE, H.; GUI, V. Cooper-induced changes in antioxidant enzymes activities in fronds of duckweed (Lemna minor). Plant Science, v.153, p.65-72, 2000. Available from: http://www-sciencedirect-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/science/article/pii/S0168945299002575>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/S0168-9452(99)00257-5.
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) by using pyrogallol as substrate. Change in absorbance due to the formation of purpurogalin was measured in a spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 430nm. The activity of PG-POD was expressed as μmol purpurogallin min-1 mg-1 protein. Level of lipid peroxidation was measured in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a product of lipid peroxidation, according to HEATH & PACKER (1968HEATH, R.L.; PACKER, L. Photoperoxidation in isolated chloroplasts. I. Kinetic and stoichiometry of fatty acid peroxidation. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophyicics, v.125, p.189-198, 1968. Available from: http://www-sciencedirect-com.ez87periodicos.capes.gov.br/science/article/pii/0003986168906541?via%3Dihub>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/0003-9861(68)90654-1.
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). The MDA content was calculated by its extinction coefficient of 155mM-1 cm-1 and expressed as nmol MDA per g fresh weight.

After 22 days of treatment, 5 plants of each group were selected randomly for biomass measurements. The plants were divided into leaves and stem before being oven dried at 70oC for at least 48 hours. All data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance procedure and the differences between the means of treatments were compared by using Least Significant Difference (LSD) procedure at 5% level. All data were processed using SPSS 9.0 software for Windows.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

In nature, plants are subjected to several stressors which may interact with each other, thus resulting in adverse effects on the plants, effects that may differ if the factors were acting alone. The data presented in the meta-analysis by LI et al. (2010LI, F. R. et al. A meta analysis of the responses of woody and herbaceous plants to elevated ultraviolet B radiation. Acta Oecologica, v.36, p.19, 2010. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/1146609X/36/1>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.actao.2009.09.002.
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) show that both woody and herbaceous plants present reductions in biomass under UV-B radiation. UV-B radiation reduces dry matter by affecting cell production and shortened growth zone (FINA et al., 2017FINA, J. et al. UV-B inhibits leaf growth through changes in growth regulating factors and gibberellin levels. Plant Physiology, v.174, p.1110-1126, 2017. Available from: http://www. plantphysiol.org/content/174/2/1110>. Accessed: Sept. 17, 2017. doi: 10.1104/pp.17.00365.
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), thus resulting in reductions in leaf expansion and final leaf size. Sunflower plants grown under elevated UV-B radiation showed a reduction in dry matter accumulation in the above ground parts, with a negative effect on both stem and leaves (Table 1). Shoot dry matter under high nitrogen was 2.4 times higher than in low nitrogen due to a higher investment in dry matter into leaves than into stem demonstrating that leaf expansion rate is very sensitive to nitrogen supply. Supplemental UV-B radiation under high nitrogen decreased the biomass of plants with no effect when nitrogen stress was imposed, suggesting secondary protection against UV-B damage under nitrogen deficiency (HUNT & MCNEIL, 1998HUNT, J.E.; MCNEIL, D.L. Nitrogen status affects UV-B sensitivity of cucumber. Australian Journal ofPlant Physiology . 25: 79-86, 1998.). Our results showed that the negative effect of UV-B radiation on the above ground biomass occurs under both low and high nitrogen. The presence of interaction between the two factors showed that the negative effect was more marked under high nitrogen implicating in an alteration in the sensitivity of plants under these conditions thus contrary to the results observed by YAO & LIU (2009YAO, X.; LIU, Q. The effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B and nitrogen supply on growth, photosynthesis and nutrient status of Abies faxoniana seedlings. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, v.31, p.523-529, 2009. Available from: https://link-springer-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/article/10.1007/s11738-008-0261-4/fulltext.html>. Accessed: Jun. 01, 2017. doi: 10.1007/s11738-008-0261-4.
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). Our findings are in agreement with SINGH et al. (2012SINGH, S. et al. Differential response of radish plants to supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation under varying NPK levels: chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange and antioxidants. Physiologia Plantarum, v.145, p.474-484, 2012. Available from: http://onlinelibrary-wiley- com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/doi/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01589.x/abstract>. Accessed: Sept. 17, 2017. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01589.x.
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) who suggested that increased sensitivity towards UV-B radiation may result where fertilisers are applied in excess of recommended levels.

Table 1
Interactive effects of nitrogen and UV-B radiation on shoot, stem and leaves dry matter (g), stomatal conductance (g s, mol m-2 s-1), photosynthesis (A, μmol m-2 s-1), transpiration (E, mmol m-2 s-1), intercellular CO2 concentration (C i , μmol mol-1), total chlorophyll and carotenoid content (mg g-1FW) activity of peroxidase (PG-POD, μmol min-1 mg-1 protein) and malondialdeyde content (MDA, nmol g-1 fresh weight) of sunflower plants.

Although, some studies have shown that O3 depletion and the concurrent rise in UV-B radiation is not a direct threat to photosynthetic productivity of crops, KATARIA et al. (2014KATARIA, S. et al. Impact of increasing Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on photosynthetic Processes. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. v.137, p.55-66, 2014. Available from: <http://www-sciencedirect-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/science/article/ pii/S1011134414000414>. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.02.004.
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) pointed out in their review that UV-B radiation can affect photosynthesis in various aspects such as damage of photosystem II, loss in integrity of the thylakoid membranes and reduced Rubisco activity and content besides stomatal conductance. The inconsistent findings may be explained by the fact that plant species have different sensitivity to UV-B radiation in addition to the adverse growth conditions among the different studies such as the ratio of PAR to UV-B radiation during the growth period. The UV-B radiation damage to plants can be reduced by combining UV-B irradiation with visible light (OTA et al., 2017OTA, N. et al. Difference between night time and day time UV-B irradiation with respect to the extent of damage to Perilla leaves. The Horticulture Journal, v.86, p.349-356, 2017. Available from: http://doi.org/10.2503/hortj.OKD-021>. Accessed: Sept. 19, 2017. doi: 10.2503/hortj.OKD-021.
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). In this study, UV-B radiation showed a negative effect on photosynthesis while nitrogen had a positive effect (Table 1), with no visible bleaching or necrosis on the leaves under UV-B radiation. Maximum reduction in photosynthesis by UV-B radiation was recorded in higher-nitrogen grown plants due to the presence of interaction. It is important to note that even the photosynthetic capacity is strongly related to foliar nitrogen concentration, in this study high nitrogen supply was not able to fully counteract the harmful effect of UV-B radiation. According to SINGH et al. (2012SINGH, S. et al. Differential response of radish plants to supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation under varying NPK levels: chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange and antioxidants. Physiologia Plantarum, v.145, p.474-484, 2012. Available from: http://onlinelibrary-wiley- com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/doi/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01589.x/abstract>. Accessed: Sept. 17, 2017. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01589.x.
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), individual nutrient applied at higher than recommended dose made the plants more susceptible to UV-B radiation compared to NPK combination. Our results contrast with those reported by RIQUELME et al. (2007RIQUELME, A. Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants grown under nitrogen deficiency. Environmental and Experimental Botany , v.60, p.360-367, 2007. Available from: http://www-sciencedirect-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/science/ article/pii/S0098847207000020>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2006.12.004.
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) who observed that the UV-B in common bean was effective in reducing photosynthesis only when it was accompanied by nitrogen restriction. In addition, they reported that under these conditions photosynthesis was correlated with a decrease in g s rather than with a decrease in Rubisco activity.

The effect of nitrogen on photosynthesis occurs through changes in the stomatal aperture in addition to being part of photosynthetic apparatus (URAIRI et al., 2016URAIRI, C. et al. Response of the leaf photosynthetic rate to available nitrogen in erect panicle-type rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar, Shennong 265. Plant Production Science, v.19, p.420-426, 2016. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1343943X.2016.1149037>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1080/1343943X.2016.1149037.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1343943X.2016....
). Under the conditions of our experiment, nitrogen did not affect g s or E. However, UV-B radiation reduced g s and E under low and high nitrogen supply, with the reduction more marked under low than under high nitrogen (Table 1). Under high nitrogen, the greater demand for CO2 resulted in lower C i compared to low nitrogen. Conversely, enhanced UV-B radiation increased de C i under high nitrogen, with no effect under low nitrogen. Total chlorophyll and carotenoid were increased by high nitrogen independently of UV-B radiation. Since the photosynthetic pigments were not affected by UV-B, the results obtained in this study suggested that the reduction in photosynthesis under low nitrogen was partially correlated to stomatal limitation, while under high nitrogen the photosynthesis is also under control of mesophyll metabolism which reduced the demand for CO2. The N-deprived plants had lower sensitivity to UV-B radiation in terms of photosynthesis which was correlated with lower decreases in Rubisco and PEPCase activity when compared with well N-nourish plants (CORREIA et al., 2005CORREIA, C.M. et al. Ultraviolet-B radiation and nitrogen affect the photosynthesis of maize: a Mediterranean field study. Europena Journal of Agronomy, v.22, p.337-347, 2005. Available from: http://www-sciencedirect-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/science/article/pii/ S1161030104000498>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.eja.2004.05.002.
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). It is possible that in our study the reduction in the activity and/or pool size of Rubisco may have contributed to an increase in CO2 under high nitrogen.

The ability of plants to cope with an increase in UV-B radiation depends on their capacity to eliminate the ROS produced under stress conditions (CHOUDHARY & AGRAWAL, 2014CHOUDHARY, K.K.; AGRAWAL, S.B. Cultivar specificity of tropical mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) to elevated ultraviolet-B: Changes in antioxidative defense system, nitrogen metabolism and accumulation of jasmonic and salicylic acids. Environmental and Experimental Botany, v.99, p.122-132, 2014. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0098847213001901>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2013.11.006.
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). Carotenoids can function as a photosynthetic pigment and also as an antioxidant thus protecting the plants from oxidative stress (VIEIRA et al., 2017VIEIRA, E.A. et al. Physiological and biochemical changes attenuate the effects of drought on the Cerrado species Vatairea macrocarpa (Benth.) Ducke. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, v.115, p.472-483, 2017. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.04.022>. Accessed: Sept. 18, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.04.022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2017....
). There was an increase in total carotenoids in sunflower plants by high nitrogen, which was independent of UV-B radiation level applied (Table 1). RIQUELME et al. (2007RIQUELME, A. Effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants grown under nitrogen deficiency. Environmental and Experimental Botany , v.60, p.360-367, 2007. Available from: http://www-sciencedirect-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/science/ article/pii/S0098847207000020>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2006.12.004.
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) observed that under conditions of high nitrogen there was an increase in carotenoid content with no effect of UV-B radiation thus supporting our findings. Although, the antioxidative defense can be increased by UV-B radiation, it was observed that the defense system of plant is not always effective in detoxify ROS (CHOUDHARY & AGRAWAL, 2016CHOUDHARY, K.K.; AGRAWAL, S.B. Assessment of fatty acid profile and seed mineral nutrients of two soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars under elevated ultraviolet-B: role of ROS, pigments and antioxidants. Photochemistry and Photobiology, v.92, p.134-143, 2016. Available from: http://onlinelibrary-wiley.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/doi/10.1111/php. 12544/epdf>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.1111/php.12544.
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). The activity of PG-POD in some species can be reduced (KALANTAR AHMADI et al., 2015KALANTAR AHMADI, S.A. et al. Changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms of canola seedlings at different drought stress and nitrogen levels. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, v.39, p.601-612, 2015. doi: 10.3906/tar-1404-140.
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) or increased (MOVLUDI et al., 2014MOVLUDI, A. et al. The effect of water deficit and nitrogen on the antioxidant enzymes’ activity and quantum yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Notulae Botancae Horti Agrobotani Cluj-Napoca, v.42, p.398-404, 2014. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.15835/ nbha4229340>. Accessed: May 31, 2017. doi: 10.15835/nbha4229340.
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) by addition of nitrogen. Although, the effect of nitrogen and UV-B radiation on PG-POD activity was not significant, there was a significant interaction between the two factors which resulted in a reduction in the activity of PG-POD in plants grown under low nitrogen while under high nitrogen it was not affected.

The primary function of the antioxidant system is to control the accumulation of ROS which are responsible for membrane damage. UV-B radiation caused membrane damage measured in terms of MDA (SINGH et al., 2014SINGH, S. et al. Impact of ambient and supplemental ultraviolet-B stress on kidney bean plants: an insight into oxidative stress management. Protoplasma, v.251, p.1395-1405, 2014. Available from: https://link-springer-com.ez87.periodicos.capes.gov.br/article/10.1007%2Fs00709-014-0641-0>. Accessed: Sept. 17, 2017. doi:10.1007/s00709-014-0641-0.
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). In this study, the MDA content was significantly affected by nitrogen and UV-B radiation and their effects were opposite (Table 1). Interaction between the two factors was not significant which means that both factors acted independently. Supplemental nitrogen reduced the MDA content suggesting a lower production of ROS as observed by YAO & LIU (2007YAO, X.; LIU, Q. Changes in photosynthesis and antioxidant defenses of Picea asperata seedlings to enhanced ultraviolet-B and to nitrogen supply. Physiologia Plantarum , v.129, p.364-374, 2007. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2006.00815.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2006...
). Conversely, MDA content was increased by UV-B radiation under both low and high nitrogen (Table 1). This indicated that addition of nitrogen could not alleviate the damage of UV-B radiation on cell membrane. Although, high UV-B radiation can stimulate the activity of some enzymes due to increasing requirement of scavenging ROS (YAO & LIU, 2007YAO, X.; LIU, Q. Changes in photosynthesis and antioxidant defenses of Picea asperata seedlings to enhanced ultraviolet-B and to nitrogen supply. Physiologia Plantarum , v.129, p.364-374, 2007. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2006.00815.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2006...
), in our study the activity of PG-POD was not increased but instead it was reduced under low nitrogen and not changed under high nitrogen. Therefore, the increase in MDA content under high UV-B radiation may have resulted from increased ROS production and the lack of enzyme activation.

CONCLUSION:

The present study clearly illustrated that the sunflower plants performance is negatively affected by an increase in UV-B radiation. Although, the addition of nitrogen improved the growth of plants, it made the physiological process of plants more sensitive to increase in UV-B radiation indicating that the plant response to UV-B depends on the interaction between different stressor factors which the plants are subjected to.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors IC and GCG thank the Brazilian agency Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) for financial support and for the undergraduate scholarship (Project: 00/09922-8; Project: 06/52852-7)

REFERENCES:

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    CR-2017-0369.R1

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2018

History

  • Received
    02 June 2017
  • Accepted
    16 Nov 2017
  • Reviewed
    28 Dec 2017
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