Foliar water uptake in Pinus species depends on needle age and stomatal wax structures.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Foliar water uptake (FWU) has been documented in many species and is increasingly recognized as a non-trivial factor in plant-water relationships. However, it remains unknown whether FWU is a widespread phenomenon in Pinus species, and how it may relate to needle traits such as the form and structure of stomatal wax plugs. In this contribution, these questions were addressed by studying FWU in current-year and 1-year-old needles of seven Pinus species.

Methods

We monitored FWU gravimetrically and analysed the needle surface via cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we considered the effect of artificial wax erosion by application of the surfactant Triton X-100, which is able to alter wax crystals.

Key results

The results show for all spe

SUBMITTER: Roth-Nebelsick A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9992939 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature