Research Article
Parisa Rahimzadeh, Siavash Hos
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the effects of UV-A and UV-C on some morphological and physiological parameters of savory (Satureja hortensis L.). Plants were grown in a uniform environment and after 50 days they were exposed to UV-A and UV-C radiation for 15 and 8 days respectively. Alterations in growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, UV absorbing compounds and protein and carbohydrate contents were measured. UV-C-treated plants showed a significant decrease in shoot growth, leaf number and shoot fresh and dry weights as well as leaf protein, leaf carbohydrate, chlorophyll a, b and total and carotenoid contents. Also treatment with UV-A caused a significant reduction in shoot dry weight, protein and chlorophyll a and total contents. Notably, no significant difference was observed in the root growth, fresh dry weight and carbohydrate content by UV-R treatment. In addition, UV exposure resulted in a significant increase of flavonoid and anthocyanin contents.