TANNING YOUR PLANTS
Written by Tom Forrest
#TomForrestCF @ TomForrestCF
THE MORE YOU KNOW - THE BETTER YOU GROW
The Curious Effects of UV-A and UV-B
Spending an enjoyable day at the beach is one of our favourite holiday behaviours although we
often forget the nasty consequences after sunlight on our skin. Sunlight is the portion of the
electromagnetic radiation from the sun which includes infrared, visible and ultraviolet light. It’s
these ultraviolet light waves that cause harmful radiation to our dermal tissue with potentially
deadly costs. So how have our floral friends evolved to disarm or even utilise this UV light
energy?
Modern botanical studies are finding that sunlight regulates different developmental processes
over the life of a plant. It can provide certain cues to advance growth and progressive deviations
for survival during periods of stress. Development of form ¬¬and structure in plants which is
affected by light, not photosynthesis, is known as photomorphogenic.
There is now substantial research on the influence of PAR light (400-700 nanometers (nm))
and the photomorphogenic responses to UV B (290-320nm), but limited studies have been
conducted on UV-A (320-400 nm), UV-B and PAR interactions.
We understand that sunlight contains UV radiation that can be harmful to plant tissue, but
modern research is proving there are several distinctly positive responses to UV radiation if the
light fluence (radiant energy received), UV/PAR ratios and irradiance is appropriate.
Looking at light energy?
Let’s take a step backwards
and look at how ‘light-energy’
influences a plant. Light is a form of
electromagnetic radiation where the
wavelength determines the energy
potential. Humans can see the
‘visible spectrum’ of light between
390-700nm but we have developed
technology to understand and utilise
the different wavelengths in a huge
variety of applications. Microwaves,
satellites, x-rays and more use
various forms of electromagnetic
energy for their operation.
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