Effects of Natural Radiation, PAR and Artificial Ultraviolet Radiation-B on the Ultrastructure and Histochemistry of Leaf of Oryza sativa L.

Abstract

Ultraviolet radiation-B (UVBR) affects plants in many important ways, including reduced growth rate, reduction of primary productivity and changes in ultrastructure. The rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most cultivated cereal in the world along with corn and wheat, representing over 50% of agricultural production. In this study, we examined O. sativa exposed to natural radiation denominated which “ambient samples”, plants cultivated which photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), denominated with PAR-only and plants cultivated with PAR + UVBR for 2 h per day during 30 days of cultivation in vitro. The samples were processed for electron microscopy and histochemistry analysis. PAR + UVBR caused changes in the ultrastructure of leaf of O. sativa, mesophyll cells, which included increased thickness of the cell wall and plastoglobuli, reduced intracellular spaces, changes in the cell contour, and destruction of chloroplast and mitochondria internal organization. The exposure to PAR + UVBR led to changes in guard and subsidiary cells, and the stomata and papillae were with irregular shape. The reduction of epicuticular wax that covered the leaf, was observed. Taken together, these ?ndings strongly suggested that PAR + UVBR negatively affects the ultrastructure and morphology and growth rates, of leaf of O. sativa and, in the long term, their economic viability.