Understanding the role of UV radiation in sustainable crop production

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an energetic driver of a diverse range of plant responses, and despite historical concerns regarding the damaging consequences of UV-B radiation for global plant productivity as related to stratospheric ozone depletion, recent developments suggest the key plant responses to UV-B radiation may be exploitable in the context of a sustainable contribution towards the strengthening of a global crop production. We have characterized the responses of crop plants (e.g. Lactuca sativa, Vitis vinifera) to differing UV regimes, using a combination of modified field-scale experiments, and controlled environment approaches. It is clear that understanding the range of agronomic outcomes mediated by UV radiation is complex, yet knowledgeable exploitation of UV can offer profound benefits, including alterations in plant secondary metabolism, enhanced photoprotection, and modified resistance to pest and disease attack. Here we will present an overview of the prospect of this paradigm shift in photobiology, and consider those linkages between fundamental plant biology and crop-level outcomes as can be applied to pant UV-B response, in addition to those consequences for related biota and other aspects of agro-ecosystem processes.