Phenogenetic response of silver birch populations and half-sib families to elevated ozone and ultraviolet-B radiation at juvenile age

Environ Pollut. 2008 Nov;156(1):152-61. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.12.023. Epub 2008 Feb 8.

Abstract

Phenogenetic response of silver birch populations and half-sib families to separate and combined elevated ozone (O(3)) concentrations and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation dozes was studied at juvenile age in the climatic chambers. Significant population and family effects were found for seedling height, lamina width, and leaf damage. The exposure to UV-B radiation decreased genetic variation at the stage of seed germination. Complex exposure to UV-B and O(3) caused an increase of genetic variation at the stage of intensive seedling growth: seedling height genetic variation in separate treatments increased from 23.7-38.6 to 33.7-65.7%, the increase for lamina width was from 10.2-13.9 to 13.6-31.8%. Different populations and families demonstrated differing response to elevated complex UV-B and O(3) exposure. Changes of genetic intra-population variation were population-specific. Such changes in genetic variation under the impact of stressors can alter adaptation, stability, and competitive ability of regenerating populations in a hardly predictive way.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / pharmacology*
  • Betula / drug effects*
  • Betula / genetics
  • Betula / growth & development
  • Betula / radiation effects
  • Genetic Variation / drug effects
  • Genetic Variation / radiation effects
  • Models, Biological
  • Oxidants, Photochemical / pharmacology*
  • Ozone / pharmacology*
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / radiation effects
  • Seedlings / drug effects
  • Seedlings / genetics
  • Seedlings / growth & development
  • Seedlings / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Oxidants, Photochemical
  • Ozone