RESEARCH PAPER
The Effect of UV Irradiation on Plants
1999 Volume 39 Issue 3-4 Pages 122-128
Details
1999 Volume 39 Issue 3-4 Pages 122-128
Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated damage and photoreactivation were examined using plant materials. UV irradiation was carried out using a healthy UV lamp (UV-B) and a germicidal lamp (UV-C). After UV-irradiation, the damage in the leaves of morning glory and eggplant were examined, the number of fronds in duckweed was counted, the length of the hypocotyl in radish seedlings was measured, and the color of banana fruit peel was observed everyday.
In the morning glory and eggplant, the leaves that were irradiated by UV-B 30kJ/m2 and UV-C 2kJ/m2 became brown in color. The duckweed exposed to UV rays at 10kJ/m2 (UV-B) or 1kJ/m2 (UV-C) had fewer fronds. In radish seedlings, higher UV irradiation doses corresponded to shorter hypocotyl lengths. The part of the banana peel that was exposed to UV irradiation (UV-B, 1kJ/m2) changed in color, while the part that underwent photoreactivation did not change.
These experiments were carried out using simple tools and devices within a few weeks. Therefore, we propose that these experiments are useful for biology education in high schools.
