Ram Bubby

Evaluating the impact of UV light exposure on the growth and development of Malabar spinach

Started Mar. 28, 2022

Abstract or project description

Ram will be evaluating the impact of UV-A and UV-B light on the growth and development of Malabar spinach. Exposure of one or a combination of these wavelengths in bursts of light will be compared to white light alone to determine effects on plant phenotype from different levels of UV exposure. Impacts on leaf area, plant height, and fruit pigmentation will be measured and compared between treatments. This project seeks to determine the impacts of increased UV light exposure on the growth and development of an agriculturally relevant plant, reflecting potential future increases in UV light exposure that crops may experience due to depletion of the ozone layer.