UV-B Radiation and Plant Life : Molecular Biology to Ecology

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) is part of the normal daily spectral radiation and can have profound effects on plant growth and development. Increased UV-B has previously been associated with stratospheric ozone depletion with potentially deleterious consequences for the biosphere. However, from a more geographical perspective, many regions are exposed to high levels of UV-B radiation as part of their normal light environment and this can have a substantial influence on the local plant and microbial community. As a consequence there is great interest in UV-B effects, both from an agricultural/horticultural and from an ecosystem viewpoint. Furthermore, UV-B strongly interacts with other environmental parameters and future UV-B levels and effects are therefore variable depending on global climate change phenomenon. Understanding how UV-B affects plants at the molecular level is also fascinating. Recently, several major changes in our perception of UV-B responses make this book both timely and scientifically interesting. Because UV-B is absorbed by a large number of biologically active molecules, the isolation and characterisation of the UV-B photoreceptor and hence the mechanism of UV-B perception has only recently taken place. In addition, UV-B has previously only been considered as a damaging radiation, but it is now thought to have a more positive role in plant photomorphogenesis. Consequently UV-B treatments are being developed as innovative approaches to improve horticulture. The book consists of chapters written by world authorities in the field of plant responses to UV-B radiation.

Brian Jordan is Professor of Plant Biotechnology at Lincoln University, New Zealand and has over 30 years of experience in plant biochemistry and molecular biology. Professor Jordan was a scientist at Horticulture Research International, UK for 14 years and during that time carried out research at the Carnegie Institute, Stanford University, USA, North Carolina State University, USA and CSIRO Canberra, Australia. Throughout his research career he has focused on how light regulates plant growth and development. In particular, he has made a major contribution to understanding the molecular responses of plants to ultraviolet radiation