Abstract
Ground-level UV-B will stay at a high level in the next several decades and influence sweet potato growth and yield because of the remaining chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere. The study explored three UV-B (none, ambient, and elevated/projected) levels on three contrasting sweet potato cultivars (Beauregard, Hatteras, and Louisiana 1188) using sunlit plant growth chambers at Mississippi State University. The results showed that UV-B influenced three cultivars differently. Growth, photosynthetic rate, epidermal and leaf structure of Beauregard were negatively influenced under ambient and elevated UV-B. On the contrary, Hatteras was positively influenced, and Louisiana 1188 was influenced by elevated UV-B positively on leaf thickness and waxes content, but negatively on the vine length, dry mass, and leaf area. In summary, Beauregard, Louisiana 1188, and Hatteras were UV-B sensitive, moderately sensitive, and tolerant, respectively. Developing UV-B tolerant cultivars will benefit under both current and projected UV-B exposures.
Keywords
combined response index; cultivar differences; gas exchange; Ipomoea batatas; leaf anatomy; water-use efficiency.
Date of this Version
2020
Comments
This is the publisher PDF of Chen, Z.*, W. Gao, K.R. Reddy*, M. Chen, S. Taduri, S.L. Meyers, and M.W. Shankle. 2020. Ultraviolet (UV) B effects on growth and yield of three contrasting sweet potato cultivars. Photosynthetica 58:37-44. Published CC-BY-NC-ND, it is available at DOI:10.32615/ps.2019.137.