Stomatal Patchiness in Conifers: Experiments with Picea abies (L.) Karst, and Abies alba Mill

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Trees Structure and Function

Volume

8

Issue

3

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Publication Date

1994

First Page

132

Last Page

138

Abstract

Strong evidence for the occurrence of pronounced stomatal patchiness in needles of Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Abies alba Mill. was found using various indirect methods. Anatomical investigations revealed a septate leaf anatomy for both species, a phenomenon expected if a patchy distribution of stomatal aperture is present. Calculation of some photosynthetic characteristics (e.g. carboxylation efficiency) from gas exchange measurements is shown to be markedly affected by the patchy distribution of stomatal apertures on the needles. The importance of stomatal patchiness in connection with air pollution related forest decline symptoms as well as an hypothesis suggesting a possible role of the phenomenon as a protective mechanism against photoinhibition are discussed.

Comments

Originally published by Springer Verlag. Publisher's PDF available through remote link.

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