Effects of experimental warming on stomatal traits in leaves of maize (Zea may L.)

Abstract

We examined the warming effects on the stomatal frequency, stomatal aperture size and shape, and their spatial distribution pattern of maize (Zea may L.) leaves using a light microscope, an electron scanning microscope, and geostatistic techniques. A field manipulative experiment was conducted to elevate canopy temperature by 2.08°C, on average. We found that experimental warming had little effect on stomatal density, but significantly increased stomatal index due to the reduction in the number of epidermal cells under the warming treatment. Warming also significantly decreased stomatal aperture length and increased stomatal aperture width. As a result, warming significantly increased the average stomatal aperture area and stomatal aperture circumference. In addition, warming dramatically changed the stomatal spatial distribution pattern with a substantial increase in the average nearest neighbor distance between stomata on both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. The spatial distribution pattern of stomata was scale dependent with regular patterns at small scales and random patterns at larger scales on both leaf surfaces. Warming caused the stomatal distribution to become more regular on both leaf surfaces with smaller L(t) values (Ripley's K-function, L(t) is an expectation of zero for any value of t) in the warming plots than the control plots.

Effects of Warming and Precipitation Manipulation on Fine Root Dynamics of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. Seedlings

“…The absence of the warming effects on FRP, FRM, and root biomass might result from physiological adaptations of leaves to heat and drought stresses. Warming has effects on stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE), and transpiration rate, as well as soil moisture [29,30]. When heat above an appropriate temperature is applied to leaves, the stomatal conductance is lowered, and therefore the transpiration rate is reduced; these changes increase WUE [31,32].…”

The space‐time continuum: the effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on trees and the importance of scaling

“…); maize, Zea may L. (Zheng et al . ) ], effects which can allow higher g s and E in a warmer climate. As well, while g s has been reported to be unaffected by high growth temperatures in V. vinifera under conditions promoting low g s , under conditions where g s is stimulated, plants that developed at higher temperatures had relatively higher g s than control plants (Sadras et al .…”

The optimal atmospheric CO2 concentration for the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)

“…In addition, the more regular distribution pattern of stomata under higher CO 2 concentration (Fig. 7) might also facilitate CO 2 diffusion from stomata to chloroplasts by reducing the average diffusion distance (Zheng et al, 2013). Therefore, the increase of CO 2 diffusion and greater carboxylation efficiency as indicated by the increased Vc max values may explain the strong CO 2 fertilization effect before reaching the optimal concentration as observed in the current study.…”

“…I used a widely adopted approach to measure stomata density, length, and distribution pattern as described in the literature (Zheng et al, 2013). I first spread clear nail varnish onto the middle section of the apical leaf of all selected plants on both the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaves.…”