title: Increased UV-B radiation affects the viability, reactive oxygen species accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities in maize (Zea mays L.) pollen.
abstract: The increase in UV-B radiation reaching the earth's surface has prompted extensive studies on the effects of UV-B on plants. However, most of these studies have not addressed the close characteristics related to future survival of plant populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of UV-B radiation on reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and antioxidant defense system in relation to germination, tube length and viability of maize pollen. Our results indicate that increased UV-B radiation decreased the pollen germination rate and tube length in vitro and also its fertilization ability in the field. Production of O(2)(*-) and H(2)O(2) increased by UV-B radiation treatment, and their continuous accumulation resulted in lipid peroxidization. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and DPPH-radical scavenging were decreased by increased UV-B radiation. The increased ROS and lipid peroxidization, and decreased activities of the antioxidants may be attributed to the effects of UV-B radiation on pollen germination, tube growth and fertilization ability.
authors.affiliation: State Key Lab of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Agronomy, Center of Crop Chemical Control, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shiwen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Beitao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Liusheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Zhaohu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: A Egrinya
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Eneji
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsunekawa
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D003313:Zea mays / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010940:Plant Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D010088:Oxidoreductases