Found: Why plants never get sunburnt - Times of India

LONDON: Have you ever wondered why plants never get sunburnt? This is because plants make 'sunscreen' in their leaves, say researchers who claim to have finally solved the mystery after a 15-year research.

Ultra-violet rays can damage both humans and plants. But plants rarely show signs of sun damage, despite being out in the open all day with no access to sunscreen or protective clothing.

Now, a team at Glasgow University has found that plants have evolved a way of making their own chemical 'sunscreen' within their leaves , the Daily Mail reported.

A protein in their leaves, called UVR8, actually detects the presence of UV-B rays and starts off a chemical reaction that protects the leaves.

The researchers have revealed exactly how plants 'sense' UV-B light.