The influence of increased solar UV-B radiation on the photosynthetic characteristics in cowpea seedlings (Vigna unguiculata) grown at optimal (Mgs) and low (Mgd) Mg levels were studied. Both higher UV-B and Mgd treatments caused significant drops of photochemical activities and net CO2 uptake rates (PN). Yet the UV-B-induced decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency was lesser in Mgd seedlings. The leaf Chl a fluorescence measurements proved that after receiving an enhanced UV-B radiation these seedlings showed a significant enhancement in their variable parts. The PSM oscillation of slow fluorescence kinetics was remarkably altered by both treatments. The PN also followed a typical inhibitory pattern as seen in photochemical activities. Concentrations of several chloroplast proteins in trifoliate leaves were significantly reduced by Mgd treatment and unaffected by the other two treatments. Whereas the contents of 43-47 kDa polypeptides in primary leaves were markedly reduced with a maximal effect in Mgd seedlings, no major difference was noted for combined stress. and A. Premkumar, G. Kulandaivelu.
The changes in pigment-protein composition of chloroplasts in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp seedlings grown under control and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) enhanced radiation at various temperatures were studied. The chlorophyll-protein (CP) complexes isolated from seedlings after 60 h of continuous UV-B enhanced radiation treatment showed temperature-dependent changes in their levels. At 10 ^C, well marked CPI, CP2a, CP47, CP2 and free pigment bands were seen in UV-B treated seedlings while control seedlings had no detectable green bands. UV-B enhanced radiation decreased the level of CPI, CP2a and CP2 complexes which was more pronounced at 20 and 30 °C than at 40 oC. The analysis of chloroplast polypeptides revealed a drastic decrease in the levels of 55, 47, 33, 25, 23, 22 and 17 kDa polypeptides in UV-B treated seedlings at 20 and 30 oC, and marginal decrease in the levels of 47, 43 and 16 kDa polypeptides at 40 ^C. In contrast to this, at 10 oC large increase in many polypeptides was noticed in UV-B treated seedlings.