USDA UV-B Monitoring and Research Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), steward of agriculture for the nation, has long been concerned with the impacts of environmental change on U.S. agricultural production, forest resources, and rural economies. One particular area of interest is the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun on agriculture. High levels of UV radiation, particularly UV-B radiation, are known to cause cell damage and other health effects in plants and animals that can impact agricultural productivity. Further, as environmental change, including stratospheric ozone layer depletion and recovery, may lead to unanticipated variations in the UV radiation reaching Earth’s surface, future impacts of UV radiation on agriculture remain uncertain. Recognizing the need to better understand the role of UV radiation upon agricultural and ecological systems, the USDA initiated the UV-B Monitoring and Research Program (UVMRP) in 1992 through legislative authority available to the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The UVMRP is guided by NIFA’s mission, to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve environmental and societal challenges.