Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2013, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (1): 52-58.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1259.2013.00052

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Effect of UV-B Irradiation on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Arabidopsis

Xiaoyang Li, Huize Chen, Rong Han*   

  1. College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Linfen, 041004, China
  • Received:2012-03-20 Revised:2012-05-11 Online:2013-01-01 Published:2012-11-01
  • Contact: Rong Han

Abstract: To explore the impact of UV-B irradiation on Arabidopsis seed germination and seedling growth, we treated seeds of Columbia wild-type Arabidopsis with artificial UV-B and examined germination potential, germination percentage, root length, plant height, and contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar, soluble proteins and malonaldehyde (MDA). A short period of UV-B irradiation promoted Arabidopsis growth, with a significant effect at 1.0 kJ·m–2 (P<0.05), with peak germination potential and percentage, as well as root length, plant height, and contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar and soluble proteins. However, MDA content was not affected (P>0.05). With doses > 1.0 kJ·m–2, the promotion was reduced and was inhibited with longer irradiation. Thus, suitable UV-B irradiation dose could promote seed germination and seedling growth of Arabidopsis, and a too-high dose is an inhibitor, inducing damage.