Increased UV-B Radiation Affects the Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Maize (Zea mays L.) Pollen |
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| Authors: | Shiwen Wang Beitao Xie Lina Yin Liusheng Duan Zhaohu Li A Egrinya Eneji Wataru Tsuji Atsushi Tsunekawa |
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| Institution: | State Key Lab of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Agronomy, Center of Crop Chemical Control, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China;
Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Hamasaka, Tottori, Japan |
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| 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 O2•− and H2O2 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. |
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