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Ploidy influences wheat mesophyll cell geometry, packing and leaf function.

ABSTRACT: Leaf function is influenced by leaf structure, which is itself related not only to the spatial arrangement of constituent mesophyll cells, but also their size and shape. In this study, we used confocal microscopy to image leaves of Triticum genotypes varying in ploidy level to extract 3D information on individual mesophyll cell size and geometry. Combined with X-ray Computed Tomography and gas exchange analysis, the effect of changes in wheat mesophyll cell geometry upon leaf structure and function were investigated. Mesophyll cell size and shape were found to have changed during the course of wheat evolution. An unexpected linear relationship between mesophyll cell surface area and volume was discovered, suggesting anisotropic scaling of mesophyll cell geometry with increasing ploidy. Altered mesophyll cell size and shape were demonstrated to be associated with changes in mesophyll tissue architecture. Under experimental growth conditions, CO₂ assimilation did not vary with ploidy, but stomatal conductance was lower in hexaploid plants, conferring a greater instantaneous water-use efficiency. We propose that as wheat mesophyll cells have become larger with increased ploidy, this has been accompanied by changes in cell geometry and packing which limit water loss while maintaining carbon assimilation.

SUBMITTER: Wilson MJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8026107 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Ploidy influences wheat mesophyll cell geometry, packing and leaf function.

Wilson Matthew J MJ Fradera-Soler Marc M Summers Richard R Sturrock Craig J CJ Fleming Andrew J AJ

Plant direct 20210407 4

Leaf function is influenced by leaf structure, which is itself related not only to the spatial arrangement of constituent mesophyll cells, but also their size and shape. In this study, we used confocal microscopy to image leaves of <i>Triticum</i> genotypes varying in ploidy level to extract 3D information on individual mesophyll cell size and geometry. Combined with X-ray Computed Tomography and gas exchange analysis, the effect of changes in wheat mesophyll cell geometry upon leaf structure an ...[more]

PMID: 33855257

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Project description:statement: Mesophyll conductance (g m) was negatively correlated with wheat leaf age but was positively correlated with the surface area of chloroplasts exposed to intercellular airspaces (S c). The rate of decline in photosynthetic rate and g m as leaves aged was slower for water-stressed than well-watered plants. Upon rewatering, the degree of recovery from water-stress depended on the age of the leaves, with the strongest recovery for mature leaves, rather than young or old leaves. Diffusion of CO2 from the intercellular airspaces to the site of Rubisco within C3 plant chloroplasts (gm) governs photosynthetic CO2 assimilation (A). However, variation in g m in response to environmental stress during leaf development remains poorly understood. Age-dependent changes in leaf ultrastructure and potential impacts on g m, A, and stomatal conductance to CO2 (g sc) were investigated for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in well-watered and water-stressed plants, and after recovery by re-watering of droughted plants. Significant reductions in A and g m were found as leaves aged. The oldest plants (15 days and 22 days) in water-stressed conditions showed higher A and gm compared to irrigated plants. The rate of decline in A and g m as leaves aged was slower for water-stressed compared to well-watered plants. When droughted plants were rewatered, the degree of recovery depended on the age of the leaves, but only for g m. The surface area of chloroplasts exposed to intercellular airspaces (S c) and the size of individual chloroplasts declined as leaves aged, resulting in a positive correlation between g m and S c. Leaf age significantly affected cell wall thickness (t cw), which was higher in old leaves compared to mature/young leaves. Greater knowledge of leaf anatomical traits associated with g m partially explained changes in physiology with leaf age and plant water status, which in turn should create more possibilities for improving photosynthesis using breeding/biotechnological strategies.

Dataset Information

Ploidy influences wheat mesophyll cell geometry, packing and leaf function.

Publications

Ploidy influences wheat mesophyll cell geometry, packing and leaf function.

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