title: Decreased frost hardiness of Vaccinium vitis-idaea in reponse to UV-A radiation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate plant frost hardiness responses to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, since the few results reported are largely contradictory. It was hypothesized that functional adaptation of life forms could explain these contradictions. Dwarf shrubs and tree seedlings, representing both evergreen and deciduous forms, were tested (Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium myrtillus, Pinus sylvestris, Betula pubescens and its red form f. rubra). The research was performed in Sodankylä, Northern Finland (67°N), with enhanced UV-B- and UV-A-radiation treatments between 2002 and 2009. Plant frost hardiness was determined using the freeze-induced electrolyte leakage method in early autumn, during the onset of the frost hardening process. Additional physiological variables (malondialdehyde, glutathione, total phenols, C and N contents) were analyzed in V. vitis-idaea to explain the possible responses. These variables did not respond significantly to UV-radiation treatments, but explained the frost hardiness well (r² = 0.678). The main finding was that frost hardiness decreased in the evergreen shrub V. vitis-idaea, particularly with enhanced UV-A radiation. No significant responses were observed with the other plants. Therefore, this study does not support the idea that enhanced UV radiation could increase plant frost hardiness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Oulu, PO Box 3000, FIN-90014 Oulu, Finland. kari.taulavuori@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taulavuori
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keränen
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suokanerva
authors.forename: Kaisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lakkala
authors.forename: Satu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huttunen
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laine
authors.forename: Erja
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taulavuori
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D005615:Freezing; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D029801:Vaccinium vitis-idaea / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects