How Ultraviolet Radiation Affects Plants with Dr. Bruce Bugbee

Summary

In this educational video, Bruce Bugbee discusses the impact of UV light on plants, highlighting the differences between UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. He explains the importance of using spectroradiometers for accurate UV research and the potential benefits of UV light in enhancing plant growth and quality. The video also touches on the balance between the harmful and beneficial effects of UV, emphasizing the need for precise dosing in agricultural applications.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Bruce Bugbee, president of Apogee Instruments and a professor, discusses the impact of UV photons on plants.
• 🛠️ Apogee Instruments manufactures various sensors for UV measurements, including the SU-200 and spectroradiometers for more in-depth research.
• 📏 The electromagnetic spectrum is divided by wavelengths, with 400 nm and 700 nm being key points, distinguishing UV light from visible light.
• 🔵 UV light is categorized into UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C, each with varying effects on plants, with UV-C being the most damaging.
• 🌞 Sunlight contains minimal UV radiation, with most of it being filtered out by the atmosphere below 280 nm.
• ☀️ The erythemal response curve illustrates the relative effectiveness of UV wavelengths in causing sunburn, highlighting the potency of UV-B.
• 🏵️ Greenhouse glass filters out UV-B, providing a sunscreen effect and reducing the risk of sunburn for workers.
• 🌿 Plant growth curves related to UV exposure are similar to sunburn curves, indicating that plants also have varying sensitivity to different UV wavelengths.
• 💊 UV light can have beneficial effects on plants, such as inducing the production of natural sunscreens and secondary metabolites, which are beneficial for humans.
• 🔬 Research in Bugbee's lab is focused on finding the optimal doses of UV for plants to improve product quality without causing damage.
• 🛑 Overuse of sunscreen in humans has led to a decrease in Vitamin D synthesis, emphasizing the need for a balanced exposure to UV light.

Q & A

What is the role of Bruce Bugbee in the video?

Bruce Bugbee is the president of Apogee Instruments and a professor of Crop Physiology at Utah State University. He is discussing the effects of UV photons on plants in the video.

What types of UV sensors does Apogee Instruments make?

Apogee Instruments makes the SU-200, a sensor specifically for UV, and some extended range sensors that can measure UV. The most important for UV research is a spectroradiometer, which is more expensive but necessary for detailed research.

What are the key wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum for visible light?

The key wavelengths for visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum are 400 and 700 nanometers.

What are the different categories of UV light and their approximate wavelengths?

UV light is categorized into UV-A (approximately 320-400 nm), UV-B (a band within the UV spectrum), and UV-C (wavelengths below 280 nm, which are mostly filtered by the atmosphere).

Why is it important to distinguish between different UV wavelengths for plant research?

Different UV wavelengths have varying effects on plants. UV-A is less powerful, UV-B is more potent, and UV-C is very damaging. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper research and application in plant growth and health.

How does the atmosphere filter UV radiation from the sun?

The atmosphere filters out all radiation from the sun below 280 nm, preventing the most damaging UV-C wavelengths from reaching the Earth's surface.

What is the significance of the erythemal response curve in the context of sunburn?

The erythemal response curve represents the sensitivity of human skin to sunburn caused by UV radiation. It shows that UV-B photons are much more potent in causing sunburn compared to UV-A photons.

How does the effect of UV light on plants compare to its effect on human skin?

Similar to human skin, plants also have a response to UV light, which can cause damage but also stimulate the production of protective pigments and other beneficial compounds. The key is to find the right dosage to avoid damage while promoting these beneficial effects.

What are some beneficial effects of UV light on plants?

UV light can help make plants tougher by inducing the synthesis of protective pigments in the leaves. It can also promote the thickening of cuticles and other layers in plants, contributing to their overall health.

How can the right dosage of UV light improve product quality in plants?

The right dosage of UV light can stimulate the production of secondary metabolites in plants, such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and vitamins, which are beneficial for human consumption and can enhance the quality of the plant product.

What is the role of a spectroradiometer in measuring UV light?

A spectroradiometer is a powerful tool for measuring UV light as it can separately measure UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C wavelengths along with their respective weighting factors, providing detailed and precise data for research.

Why is it challenging to get the right dosage of UV light for plants?

Getting the right dosage of UV light for plants is challenging because the effects of UV are dose-dependent and can quickly shift from beneficial to damaging. It requires careful research and experimentation to find the optimal balance.