Variation in leaf mesophyll anatomy of fern species imposes significant effects on leaf gas exchange, light capture, and leaf hydraulic conductance.

ABSTRACT: The mesophyll anatomical traits are essential factors for efficient light capture, CO₂ diffusion, and hydraulics in leaves. At the same time, leaf hydraulics are governed by the xylem anatomical traits. Thus, simultaneous analyses of the mesophyll and xylem anatomy will clarify the links among light capture, CO₂ capture, and water use. However, such simultaneous analyses have been scarcely performed, particularly on non-seed plants. Using seven fern species, we first showed that fern species with a large mesophyll thickness had a high photosynthetic rate related to high light capture, high drought tolerance, and low leaf hydraulic conductance. The chloroplast surface area (S_c) per mesophyll thickness significantly decreased with an increase in mesophyll thi

SUBMITTER: Fujii S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11515861 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature