Abstract
This investigation attempts to examine the effects of UV-B radiation on seedling growth, chlorophyll content and total soluble phenol
accumulation in the roots of mungbean. Imbibed seeds of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) were exposed to UV-B radiation in
a radiation chamber for 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes. At each radiation dose both root and shoot growth of seedlings were markedly
suppressed while shoot weights were significantly reduced. The inhibitory effect increased with increasing exposure period. In
response to UV-B irradiation, chlorophyll a and b as well as total chlorophyll (a and b) contents were greatly reduced. UV-B
irradiation resulted in substantial accumulation of total soluble phenols in the roots of the seedlings. These results are discussed with
respect to the mode of action of UV-B radiation.
