We investigated the effect of leaf ontogeny and barley genotype on the accumulation of phenolic compounds (PhCs) induced by ultraviolet (UV) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). We hypothesized that different groups of PhCs are induced in leaves differing in ontogeny, and that this has consequences for protective functions and the need for other protection mechanisms. Generally, lower constitutive contents of PhCs (under conditions of UV exclusion and reduced PAR) were found in a UV-sensitive genotype (Barke) compared to a tolerant genotype (Bonus). However, UV and PAR induced accumulation of PhCs exceeded the constitutive amounts several fold. Specifically, lutonarin, 3-feruloylquinic acid, unidentified hydroxycinnamic acid and luteolin derivatives were markedly enhanced by high PAR and UV irradiances. Leaves developed during UV and PAR treatments had higher PhCs contents than mature leaves already fully developed at the onset of the UV and PAR treatment. UV and PAR treatments had, however, a minor effect on saponarin and unidentified apigenin derivatives which occur particularly in mature leaves of the tolerant genotype Bonus. In addition, high UV and PAR intensities increased the total content of xanthophylls (VAZ), while chlorophyll content was reduced, particularly in developing leaves. A redundancy analysis revealed positive associations between most of PhCs and VAZ and a negative association between total chlorophylls and carotenoids. Non-linear relationships between VAZ and lutonarin and other PhCs indicate that VAZ accumulation can compensate for the insufficient efficiency of anti-oxidative protection mediated by PhCs. Accordingly, we conclude that UV and PAR-induced accumulation of PhCs is affected by leaf ontogeny, however, this effect is compound-specific.

Global Change Research Institute CAS v v i Bělidla 986 4a CZ 60300 Brno Czech Republic

Global Change Research Institute CAS v v i Bělidla 986 4a CZ 60300 Brno Czech Republic; University of Cork School of Biological Earth and Environmental Science Distillery Fields Cork Ireland

Global Change Research Institute CAS v v i Bělidla 986 4a CZ 60300 Brno Czech Republic; University of Ostrava 30 dubna 22 CZ 70103 Ostrava Czech Republic

University of Ostrava 30 dubna 22 CZ 70103 Ostrava Czech Republic

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Regulation of Phenolic Compound Production by Light Varying in Spectral Quality and Total Irradiance

Light and CO2 Modulate the Accumulation and Localization of Phenolic Compounds in Barley Leaves