Responses of pea plants to elevated UV-B radiation at varying nutrient levels: N-metabolism, carbohydrate pool, total phenolics and yield

Abstract

The effects of elevated UV-B (280–315 nm) were assessed on nitrogen metabolism, carbohydrate pool, total phenolics, photosynthetic pigments, UV-B absorbing compounds, variables related to oxidative stress, biomass and yield of pea plants grown under various levels of NPK. The NPK levels assayed were: background NPK level (F0); recommended NPK (F1) and recommended NK + 1.5 × recommended P (F2) and the UV-B levels were: control (C) and elevated (T). The responses of T plants varied with different combinations of NPK. Yield reduced under elevated UV-B at all NPK levels with maximum reduction in F0T and minimum reduction in F1T. Leghaemoglobin content was reduced under elevated UV-B at all NPK levels. Maximum increase in malondialdehyde content recorded in F0T plants corresponded with higher superoxide and hydrogen peroxide contents. Nitrite reductase activity decreased significantly under UV-B at all NPK levels, but nitrate reductase activity increased significantly in F1T and F2T. Maximum reduction in C : N ratio of leaves in F2T plants suggests competition between sucrose synthesis and nitrate reduction under additional P level. The study concludes that application of recommended level of NPK caused least changes in N metabolism leading to minimum yield losses due to elevated UV-B stress.