Leaf physico-chemical and physiological properties of maize (Zea mays L.) populations from different origins

Abstract

In this study we evaluated the leaf surface properties of maize populations native to different water availability environments. Leaf surface topography, wettability and gas exchange performance of five maize populations from the Sahara desert, dry (south) and humid (north-western) areas of Spain were analysed. Differences in wettability, stomatal and trichome densities, surface free energy and solubility parameter values were recorded between populations and leaf sides. Leaves from the humid Spanish population with special regard to the abaxial side, were less wettable and less susceptible to polar interactions. The higher wettability and hydrophilicity of Sahara populations with emphasis on the abaxial leaf surfaces, may favour dew deposition and foliar water absorption, hence improving water use efficiency under extremely dry conditions. Compared to the other Saharan populations, the dwarf one had a higher photosynthesis rate suggesting that dwarfism may be a strategy for improving plant tolerance to arid conditions. The results obtained for different maize populations suggest that leaf surfaces may vary in response to drought, but further studies will be required to examine the potential relationship between leaf surface properties and plant stress tolerance.

Physiological and Biochemical Evaluation of Maize Hybrid Germplasm Lines for Drought Tolerance under Receding Soil Moisture Conditions

“…The chlorophyll content, in general, decreased in response to moisture stress to a tune of 12.7% (on an average) from control irrespective of growth stages and the germplasm lnes. Similar reduction in chlorophyll content in maize hybrid lines have been observed by (Revilla et al, 2016;Shakeel 2008;Efeoğlu et al, 2009).…”

“…A significant difference of chlorophyll was also observed in the SPAD value and the findinds was in the line work of Revilla et al, 2016. Carotenoid pigments are responsible for scavenging of singlet oxygen hence comparatively high carotenoid levels in genotypes have been suggested to be a measure of their tolerance (Chandrasekar et al, 2000).…”

Measurement of leaf lamina moisture with a low-cost electrical humidity sensor: case study on a wheat water-mutant

“…Plant traits that reduce water retention of the leaf lamina might affect disease incidence and also water acquisition, use and redistribution [8, 9]. The selective advantages of these traits will vary among species and habitats [21, 22].…”

“…In some cases, leaf wetness originates from the plant, with different degrees of susceptibility for wetting among plants [6]. Electrical estimates of leaf moisture are affected by environmental conditions, repellency and hydrophilicity of the plant surfaces, anatomical, biochemical, biophysical and functional traits [7–9]. Tissue resistance (e.g., across the cell cytoplasm, vacuoles, cell wall, extracellular spaces) and tissue capacitance (e.g., plasma membrane, tonoplast) ratios can also change with leaf age, and hence with chemical composition of the leaves [10].…”

Contact angle measurements and water drop behavior on leaf surface for several deciduous shrub and tree species from a temperate zone

“…The structure and chemical composition of epicuticular waxes depends to a considerable degree on atmospheric conditions such as climate (Aryal and Neuner 2010), rainfall intensity (Baker and Hunt 1986), air humidity (Koch et al 2006), and air pollutants quantity and quality properties, such as the presence of atmospheric aerosols (Burkhardt 2010). Leaf wettability can also have a positive effect in reducing transpiration or absorbing water directly through the leaf surface, thus improving the plant condition and allowing its survival (Revilla et al 2016). In dry habitats, the leaf surface is generally less susceptible to wetting and the probability of retaining water drops on its surface is smaller (Brewer and Nuñez 2007).…”