Effects of Enhanced UV-B Radiation and Tropospheric Ozone on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Field Grown Wheat

Experiments were conducted under field conditions to assess the growth, physiological and biochemical responses of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) to supplemental UV-B radiation (7.1 kJ m-2) and enhanced ozone (0.07 μmol mol-1) separately and in combination. Enhanced UV-B radiation and O3 reduced biomass, yield, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll, carotenoid and ascorbic acid contents and catalase activity, whereas increased total phenol content and peroxidase activity. Contents of flavonoids increased due to UV-B treatment. The interactive effects were, however, less than additive.