Reaction of pea plants to the effect of UV-C radiation and exogenous cytokinin

Aim. The reaction of pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) to ultraviolet C (UV-C) irradiation and cytokinin benzylaminopurine (BAP) treatment on changes in shoot and root growth, hydrogen peroxide (HP) and photosynthetic pigments content in leaves was studied. Methods. Pea plants cultivar Aronis were irradiated by UV-C at a dose of 10 kJ/m2 with a power of 7 W/m2. Group of the non-irradiated plants and group of UV-C irradiated plants were treated by BAP in concentration 10-5 M in 24 hours after UV-C exposure. Length and mass of shoots and roots were measured, sampling to determine content of photosynthetic pigments and HP in leaves were carried out during the experiment. Results. It was found that UV-C radiation stopped pea plants growth, increased content of HP, reduced content of carotenoids and chlorophylls in the leaves. Treatment of plants with BAP after UV-C irradiation increased the restoration of photosynthetic pigments and stopped growth of HP content in the leaves. Conclusions. It was shown that the irradiation of pea plants with UV-C at a dose of 10 kJ/m2 stopped growth of shoots and roots, reduced content of photosynthetic pigments, increased content of HP in leaves. BAP treatment after irradiation of plants increased restoration of photosynthetic pigment content and stopped growth of HP content in leaves.