Are trichomes involved in the biomechanical systems of Cucurbita leaf petioles?

ABSTRACT:

Main conclusion

Trichomes are involved in petiole movement and likely function as a part of the plant biomechanical system serving as an additional reservoir of hydrostatic pressure. The large, non-glandular trichomes on Cucurbita petioles occur across collenchyma strands. Time-lapse imaging was used to study the leaf reorientation of Cucurbita maxima 'Bambino' plants placed in horizontal position. The experiment comprised four variants of the large non-glandular petiole trichomes: (1) intact, (2) mechanically removed, (3) dehydrated, and (4) intact but with longitudinally injured petioles. Isolated strands of collenchyma with intact epidermis or epidermis mechanically removed from the abaxial and adaxial sides of the petiole were subjected to breaking test. The stiffness of the no

SUBMITTER: Zajaczkowska U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4605971 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature