Organismal responses to UV-B radiation (WG3)

This WG will generate knowledge about the regulation by UV-B of plant growth and development, mainly at the organismal level. This will include regulatory mechanisms that induce morphological changes, but also mechanisms that confer protection or accelerate repair. These data will help understand plant function in agro/natural ecosystems. Currently, a picture is emerging in which moderate irradiances of UV-B regulate, rather than inhibit growth. ROS and scavenging of ROS play an important role in these processes, through altered intercellular signalling as well as protection against oxidative conditions. Acquired knowledge will be considered in the context of potential for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture and horticulture, taking advantage of more stocky phenotypes (use of chemical growth regulators is increasingly restricted), and/or cross-tolerance between stressors.

WG3 will coordinate and enhance research on four supplementary sub-packages across different timescales, from short term, via long term, to cross-generational UV-responses, giving a kinetic perspective of UV-B-mediated responses.