SHORT‐WAVE ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT CLOSES LEAF STOMATA

Abstract
The irradiation of detached tobacco leaves with short‐wave ultraviolet light (254 nm, 600 Jm‐2) causes guard cells to lose potassium, and stomata to close, within 30 minutes. Stomatal closing has been correlated with an increased rate of senescence of detached oat leaves (Thimann and Satler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76: 2295, 1979). Thus, closing of stomata may account for the acceleration of senescence that is induced by ultraviolet light.
Funding Information
  • National Science Foundation (PCM 76‐19954)