Anatomic Leaf Structure of 'Sunrise Solo' and 'Golden THB' Papaya Plants

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) stands out as a strong economic driver, being one of the fruit trees that most contribute to the total volume of brazilian production. The description of leaf characteristics allows to understand structures that act in resistance to pathogens, relationships with water resources and photosynthetic of plants, in addition to contributing to genetic improvement programs. However, there are few studies that attempt to describe the leaf anatomy of the different papaya cultivars. Thus, this study aims to describe the main leaf structure of papaya cultivars Sunrise Solo and Golden THB. The leaves were collected in the municipalities of São Mateus and Aracruz, located in the north of the State of Espírito Santo, using transversal and paradermic sections and the usual techniques of plant histology. Both cultivars presented uni-stratified epidermis, followed by palisade chlorophyll parenchyma and lacunous with collateral vascular system. Calcium oxalate druses were more observed in the Sunrise Soil cultivar. The differences between cultivars were in the number of layers of mesophyll tissues.