The impact of epicuticular wax on gas-exchange and photoinhibition in Leucadendron lanigerum (Proteaceae)
Date
2007
Authors
Afshar Mohammadian, M.
Watling, J.
Hill, R.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Acta Oecologica, 2007; 31(1):93-101
Statement of Responsibility
Mansour A. Mohammadian, Jennifer R. Watling, Robert S. Hill
Conference Name
Abstract
This study investigated the seasonal modification of wax deposition, and the impact of epicuticular wax on gas-exchange as well as photoinhibition in Leucadendron lanigerum, a species from the Proteaceae family with wax-covered leaf surfaces and the stomata also partially occluded by wax. The results of this study demonstrated that the deposition of epicuticular wax in L. lanigerum is dependent on the age of the leaf as well as the season, and generation and regeneration of wax occur mostly in spring while transformation and also degeneration of wax crystals occur in winter. Epicuticular waxes decreased cuticular water loss, but had little impact on leaf reflectance. The temperature of leaves without wax was lower than that of wax-covered leaves, indicating that the rate of transpiration impacted more on leaf temperature than reflectance of light in the PAR range in L. lanigerum. The wax coverage at the entrance of stomata in L. lanigerum increased resistance to gas diffusion and as a consequence decreased stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthesis. Also, the results indicated that epicuticular waxes do help prevent photodamage in L. lanigerum, and so this property could benefit plants living in arid environments with high solar radiation. © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved.