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UV responses of Lolium perenne raised along a latitudinal gradient across Europe: a filtration study
Author(s) -
Comont David,
Martinez Abaigar Javier,
Albert Andreas,
Aphalo Pedro,
Causton David R.,
Figueroa Félix López,
Gaberscik Alenka,
Llorens Laura,
Hauser MarieTheres,
Jansen Marcel A. K.,
Kardefelt Majlis,
de la Coba Luque Paqui,
Neubert Susanne,
NúñezOlivera Encarnación,
Olsen Jorunn,
Robson Matthew,
Schreiner Monika,
Sommaruga Ruben,
Strid Åke,
Torre Sissel,
Turunen Minna,
VeljovicJovanovic Sonja,
Verdaguer Dolors,
Vidovic Marija,
Wagner Johanna,
Winkler Jana Barbro,
Zipoli Gaetano,
GwynnJones Dylan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2012.01591.x
Subject(s) - lolium perenne , filtration (mathematics) , environmental science , perennial plant , growing season , lolium , ultraviolet , atmospheric sciences , chemistry , biology , poaceae , agronomy , mathematics , materials science , physics , statistics , optoelectronics
Lolium perenne (cv. AberDart) was grown at 14 locations along a latitudinal gradient across Europe (37–68°N) to study the impact of ultraviolet radiation (UV) and climate on aboveground growth and foliar UV‐B absorbing compounds. At each location, plants were grown outdoors for 5 weeks in a replicated UV‐B filtration experiment consisting of open, UV‐B transparent (cellulose diacetate) and UV‐B opaque (polyester) environments. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy was used to compare plant metabolite profiles in relation to treatment and location. UV radiation and climatic parameters were determined for each location from online sources and the data were assessed using a combination of anova and multiple regression analyses. Most of the variation in growth between the locations was attributable to the combination of climatic parameters, with minimum temperature identified as an important growth constraint. However, no single environmental parameter could consistently account for the variability in plant growth. Concentrations of foliar UV‐B absorbing compounds showed a positive trend with solar UV across the latitudinal gradient; however, this relationship was not consistent in all treatments. The most striking experimental outcome from this study was the effect of presence or absence of filtration frames on UV‐absorbing compounds. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of an European approach in studying the impacts of natural UV across a large latitudinal gradient. We have shown the feasibility of coordinated UV filtration at multiple sites but have also highlighted the need for open controls and careful interpretation of plant responses.