Introduction Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a significant environmental factor influencing plant growth, development, and overall productivity. While plants have evolved natural defense mechanisms to cope with UV exposure, excessive radiation, particularly from UVB and UVC wavelengths, can lead to detrimental effects such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, reduced photosynthetic efficiency, and impaired growth. To mitigate READ MORE
Category: Effects of environmental stresses on plants
The Effects of UVB and UVC Radiation on Plant Growth
Plants rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, which is crucial for their survival and growth. However, sunlight also contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is divided into three categories based on wavelength: UVA (320–400 nm), UVB (280–320 nm), and UVC (100–280 nm). While UVA is the least harmful and is commonly experienced by plants under natural sunlight, READ MORE
UV-B Radiation and Plant Stress: Mechanisms, Effects, and Adaptive Strategies
Introduction Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280–315 nm) is a natural component of sunlight that has profound effects on plant growth, development, and metabolism. Although UV-B constitutes only a small fraction of the solar spectrum reaching the Earth’s surface, it has significant biological implications due to its high energy levels. With increasing environmental concerns such as ozone READ MORE
Microplastic Pollution: Hidden Threats to Ecosystems
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, have become a significant environmental pollutant. Despite their small size, their presence in soil and water ecosystems is widespread and growing. These particles have severe implications for biodiversity, human health, and ecosystem balance. Microplastics stem from various sources, including the degradation of larger plastic waste and READ MORE
Plant Responses to Urban Pollution Stress
Urban environments present unique challenges for plant life, with pollution from vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, and fossil fuel combustion significantly impacting plant physiology, growth, and survival. Urban pollution stress includes exposure to air pollutants like ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter, along with soil contamination by heavy metals and chemical READ MORE
Cuticle Responses to Environmental Stresses
The plant cuticle, a hydrophobic layer covering the aerial surfaces of land plants, plays a crucial role in protecting against environmental stresses while maintaining water balance. Composed primarily of cutin, waxes, and polysaccharides, the cuticle serves as the first barrier against abiotic and biotic stresses, including drought, heat, salinity, UV radiation, and pathogen attack. Stress READ MORE