Leaf (or assimilation branch) epidermal micromorphology of desert plant in arid and semiarid areas of China

Liu, Yubing; Li, Xinrong; Li, Mengmeng; Liú, Dan; Zhang, Wenli

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2016.0129

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…These results suggest that there might be other specialized structures on the surfaces of assimilating branches of H. ammodendron that enable the plant to absorb water from the atmosphere. Previous scanning electron microscopy studies indicated that the epidermal structure of the assimilating branches of H. ammodendron was uneven and crinkled (Liu et al., 2016). This is conducive to the retention of atmospheric water on the surface of plants and thus might be advantageous in absorbing water from the atmosphere (Eller et al., 2013; Pan et al., 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(1998) proved that the assimilating branches of H. ammodendron contain abundant mucilage cells; thus, mucilage cells might be a potential location for atmospheric water uptake by assimilating branches and an approach transporting atmospheric water from the assimilating branches to the stem. Therefore, external microstructures, such as rough epidermis, aqueous pores, and mucilaginous substances, might be potential pathways for atmospheric water absorption in tomentum-less plants such as H. ammodendron (Zimmermann et al., 2007; Liu et al., 2016; Pan et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2016b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via Assimilating Branches in the Deep-Rooted Tree Haloxylon ammodendron in an Arid Desert Region of Northwest China

Gong

Lü

et al. 2019

Front. Plant Sci.

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Atmospheric water is one of the main water resources for plants in arid ecosystems. However, whether deep-rooted, tomentum-less desert trees can absorb atmospheric water via aerial organs and transport the water into their bodies remains poorly understood. In the present study, a woody, deep-rooted, tomentum-less plant, Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Mey.) Bunge, was selected as the experimental object to investigate the preconditions for and consequences of foliar water uptake. Plant water status, gas exchange, and 18 O isotopic signatures of the plant were investigated following a typical rainfall pulse and a high-humidity exposure experiment. The results showed that a high content of atmospheric water was the prerequisite for foliar water uptake by H. ammodendron in the arid desert region. After atmospheric water was absorbed via the assimilating branches, which perform the function of leaves due to leaf degeneration, the plant transported the water to the secondary branches and trunk stems, but not to the taproot xylem or the soil, based on the 18 O isotopic signatures of the specimen. Foliar water uptake altered the plant water status and gas exchange-related traits, i.e., water potential, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and instantaneous water use efficiency. Our results suggest that atmospheric water might be a subsidiary water resource for sustaining the survival and growth of deep-rooted plants in arid desert regions. These findings contribute to the knowledge of plant water physiology and restoration of desert plants in the arid regions of the planet.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via Assimilating Branches in the Deep-Rooted Tree Haloxylon ammodendron in an Arid Desert Region of Northwest China

Gong

Lü

et al. 2019

Front. Plant Sci.

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“…In addition, the characteristics of the leaf epidermis of S. tonkinensis are similar to those of xeric plants, including many epidermal trichomes, a cuticular membrane waxy layer, crystal granules, and relatively depressed stomata (Liu et al . 2016), suggesting that S. tonkinensis is highly drought tolerant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sophora tonkinensis: response and adaptation of physiological characteristics, functional traits, and secondary metabolites to drought stress

Liang,

Wei,

Qin

et al. 2023

Plant Biol J

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The medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis is a characteristic Chinese shrub of karst areas. The arid climate in karst areas produces high‐quality S. tonkinensis; however, the mechanisms of drought tolerance are not clear, which restricts sustainable plantings of S. tonkinensis. This study involved a 20‐day drought stress experiment with potted S. tonkinensis and threee soil water regimes: control (CK), mild drought (MDT), and severe drought (SDT). Plant morphology, biomass, physiological indicators, alkaloid content, and other changes under drought stress were monitored. The content of soluble sugars and proteins, and activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots were higher under drought than CK, indicating that S. tonkinensis is tolerant to osmotic stress in early drought stages. Content of matrine and oxymatrine increased gradually with increasing drought duration in the short term. The epidermis of S. tonkinensis leaves have characteristics of desert plants, including upper epidermal waxy layer, lower epidermal villi, and relatively sunken stomata, suggesting that S. tonkinensis has strong drought tolerance. In conclusion, drought stress changed the cell structure of S. tonkinensis, induced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased its resistance to drought.

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Variations in morphological and epidermal features of shade and sun leaves of two species: Quercus bambusifolia and Q. myrsinifolia

Маслова

Karasev

et al. 2021

American J of Botany

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Premise: Microclimatic differences between the periphery and the interior of tree crowns result in a variety of adaptive leaf macromorphological and anatomical features. Our research was designed to reveal criteria for sun/shade leaf identification in two species of evergreen oaks, applicable to both modern and fossil leaves. We compared our results with those in other species similarly studied. Methods: For both Quercus bambusifolia and Q. myrsinifolia (section Cyclobalanopsis), leaves from single mature trees with well-developed crowns were collected in the South China Botanical Garden, Guangzhou, China. We focus on leaf characters often preserved in fossil material. SVGm software was used for macromorphological measurement. Quantitative analyses were performed and box plots generated using R software with IDE Rstudio. Leaf cuticles were prepared using traditional botanical techniques. Results: Principal characters for distinguishing shade and sun leaves in the studied oaks were identified as leaf lamina length to width ratio (L/W), and the degree of development of venation networks. For Q. myrsinifolia, shade and sun leaves differ in tooth morphology and the ratio of toothed lamina length to overall lamina length. The main epidermal characters are ordinary cell size and anticlinal wall outlines. For both species, plasticity within shade leaves exceeds that of sun leaves. Conclusions: Morphological responses to sun and shade in the examined oaks are similar to those in other plant genera, pointing to useful generalizations for recognizing common foliar polymorphisms that must be taken into account when determining the taxonomic position of both modern and fossil plants.

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Leaf (or assimilation branch) epidermal micromorphology of desert plant in arid and semiarid areas of China

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via Assimilating Branches in the Deep-Rooted Tree Haloxylon ammodendron in an Arid Desert Region of Northwest China

High Air Humidity Causes Atmospheric Water Absorption via Assimilating Branches in the Deep-Rooted Tree Haloxylon ammodendron in an Arid Desert Region of Northwest China

Sophora tonkinensis: response and adaptation of physiological characteristics, functional traits, and secondary metabolites to drought stress

Variations in morphological and epidermal features of shade and sun leaves of two species: Quercus bambusifolia and Q. myrsinifolia

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