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Distribution and accumulation of ultraviolet-radiation-absorbing compounds in leaves of tropical mangroves

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Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing phenolic compounds that have been shown to be protective against the damaging: effects of UV-B radiation (Tevini et al., 1991, Photochem. Photobiol. 53, 329–333) were found in the leaf epidermis of tropical mangrove tree species. These UV-absorbing phenolic compounds and leaf succulence function as selective filters, removing short and energetic wavelengths. A field survey showed that the concentration of UV-absorbing compounds varied between species, between sites that would be experiencing similar levels of UV radiation, and between sun and shade leaves. Sun leaves have greater contents of phenolic compounds than shade leaves, and more saline sites have plants with greater levels in their leaves than less saline sites. In addition, increases in leaf nitrogen contents and quantum yields did not correlate with increasing levels of UV-absorbing compounds. It was concluded from these results that although UV-absorbing compounds form a UV-screen in the epidermis of mangrove leaves, UV radiation may not be the only factor influencing the accumulation of phenolic compounds, thus an experiment which altered the level of UV radiation incident on mangrove species was done. Near ambient levels of UVA and UV-B radiation resulted in a greater content of UV-absorbing compounds in Bruguiera parviflora (Roxb.) Wight and Arn. ex Griff., but did not result in increases in B. gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk or Rhizophora apiculata Blume. Total chlorophyll contents were lower in R. apiculata when it was grown under near-ambient levels of UV radiation than when it was grown under conditions of UV-A and UV-B depletion, but no differences were observed between the UV radiation treatments in the other two species. There was no difference in leaf morphology, carotenoid/chlorophyll ratios, or chlorophyll a/b ratios between UV treatments, although these varied among species; B. parviflora had the highest carotenoid/chlorophyll ratio and R. apiculata had the lowest. Thus it is proposed that differences in species response tu UV radiation may be influenced by their ability to dissipate excess visible solar radiation.

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Abbreviations

UV:

ultraviolet

HPLC:

high-performance liquid chromatography

V:

violaxanthin

A:

antheraxanthin

Z:

zeaxanthin

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB, 3, Townsville, MC, Australia

    Catherine E. Lovelock & Barry F. Clough

  2. Botany Department, James Cook University of North Queensland, Q 4810, Townsville, Australia

    Ian E. Woodrow

Authors
  1. Catherine E. Lovelock
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  2. Barry F. Clough
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  3. Ian E. Woodrow
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Additional information

Thank you to Dr. Bruce Chalker (AIMS) and Dr. Alistar Robertson who have commented on this manuscript. We wish to acknowledge Glenn De'ath (JCUNQ) who helped with the statistics, lan Ashworth who built the UV chambers and Otto Dalhaus for his expertise in rearing mangrove plants. During this study C.E.L. was supported by an Australian Institute of Marine Science Post Graduate Student Fellowship. This is an Australian Institute of Marine Science publication, No. 570

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Lovelock, C.E., Clough, B.F. & Woodrow, I.E. Distribution and accumulation of ultraviolet-radiation-absorbing compounds in leaves of tropical mangroves. Planta 188, 143–154 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216808

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