The Morphological and Anatomical Studies of The Aerial Parts of Abroma augusta L. from Semarang

Abroma augusta L. known as Devil’s cotton belongs to Malvaceae. The exploratory study aimed to study the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the aerial parts of A. augusta L. from Semarang. The transverse section of the aerial parts was made by a simple method (fresh preparation) and then observed under a binocular microscope with an optilab. All characteristics were observed and then compared with the references. The collected data were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. In summary, the results showed that A. augusta L. was an evergreen shrub (small tree) with orthotropic and plagiotropic branches and polymorphous leaves. The inflorenscence was found in the terminal and axillar plagiotropic branching with bisex, actinomorphic, and pentamerous flowers. The fruit was unique (obconical capsule with a rounded base and truncate-tip with 5 angled wings) including cotton fibers and numerous black seeds. The petiole was composed of epidermis, collenchyma, cortical parenchyma, sclerenchyma, vascular bundle, mucilaginous ducts, and pith. The dorsiventral leaf was composed of upper and lower epidermis, palisade, and spongy parenchyma. The stomata type was ranunculaceous (anomocytic) while the guard cell was kidney-shaped. The stomata density on the abaxial leaf was higher than that of the adaxial leaf. The stellate and unicellular non-glandular trichomes, and capitate glandular trichomes were found abundantly on the petiole and leaf blade. These morphological and anatomical studies are important to support the identification as a part of the conservation effort of the plant. Further studies are recommended to investigate the root morphology and anatomy and also biochemical characteristics of each part of the plant in order to obtain complete plant identification.

Biomass and Leaf Acclimations to Ultraviolet Solar Radiation in Juvenile Plants of Coffea arabica and C. canephora

Despite the negative impacts of increased ultraviolet radiation intensity on plants, these organisms continue to grow and produce under the increased environmental UV levels. We hypothesized that ambient UV intensity can generate acclimations in plant growth, leaf morphology, and photochemical functioning in modern genotypes of Coffea arabica and C. canephora. Coffee plants were cultivated for ca. six months in a mini greenhouse under either near ambient (UVam) or reduced (UVre) ultraviolet regimes. At the plant scale, C. canephora was substantially more impacted by UVam when compared to C. arabica, investing more carbon in all juvenile plant components than under UVre. When subjected to UVam, both species showed anatomic adjustments at the leaf scale, such as increases in stomatal density in C. canephora, at the abaxial and adaxial cuticles in both species, and abaxial epidermal thickening in C. arabica, although without apparent impact on the thickness of palisade and spongy parenchyma. Surprisingly, C. arabica showed more efficient energy dissipation mechanism under UVam than C. canephora. UVam promoted elevated protective carotenoid content and a greater use of energy through photochemistry in both species, as reflected in the photochemical quenching increases. This was associated with an altered chlorophyll a/b ratio (significantly only in C. arabica) that likely promoted a greater capability to light energy capture. Therefore, UV levels promoted different modifications between the two Coffea sp. regarding plant biomass production and leaf morphology, including a few photochemical differences between species, suggesting that modifications at plant and leaf scale acted as an acclimation response to actual UV intensity.

The Morphological and Anatomical Traits of the Leaf in Representative Vinca Species Observed on Indoor- and Outdoor-Grown Plants

Morphological and anatomical traits of the Vinca leaf were examined using microscopy techniques. Outdoor Vinca minor and V. herbacea plants and greenhouse cultivated V. major and V. major var. variegata plants had interspecific variations. All Vinca species leaves are hypostomatic. However, except for V. minor leaf, few stomata were also present on the upper epidermis. V. minor leaf had the highest stomatal index and V. major had the lowest, while the distribution of trichomes on the upper epidermis was species-specific. Differentiated palisade and spongy parenchyma tissues were present in all Vinca species’ leaves. However, V. minor and V. herbacea leaves had a more organized anatomical aspect, compared to V. major and V. major var. variegata leaves. Additionally, as a novelty, the cellular to intercellular space ratio of the Vinca leaf’s mesophyll was revealed herein with the help of computational analysis. Lipid droplets of different sizes and aspects were localized in the spongy parenchyma cells. Ultrastructural characteristics of the cuticle and its epicuticular waxes were described for the first time. Moreover, thick layers of cutin seemed to be characteristic of the outdoor plants only. This could be an adaptation to the unpredictable environmental conditions, but nevertheless, it might influence the chemical composition of plants.

Effects of different environmental pollutants on the anatomical features of roadside plants

Experiments were conducted in order to investigate anatomical changes in leaves and stems of roadsides plants namely Mango (Mangifera indica), SilKoroi (Albizia procera) and Mahagony (Sweatenia mahogany). Plants that grown nearby roadside areas were exposed to various kinds of pollutants. To carry out the experiment, samples (Fresh leaves and Stems) were collected from two polluted sites and one control site. For anatomical study leaves and stems were cut into sections in the laboratory and changes were identified under the light microscopy. Results revealed that leaves of selected roadside plants had reduced cell size with black dot like substance deposited in the epidermis, palisade and spongy parenchyma in the polluted sites. But leaves of control site plants had normal anatomy. Meanwhile stem showed changes in vascular bundle of pollution affected sites but no change was found in control site. These results highlighted the importance of anatomical data for precious diagnosis of injury and to determine the sensitivity of roadside plants to different environmental pollutants. Progressive Agriculture 30 (4): 344-351, 2019

Ecological anatomy of Eugenia luschnathiana (O.Berg) Klotzsch ex B.D.Jacks. (Myrtaceae) leaves in the Restinga region, state of Ceara

Eugenia luschnathiana (O.Berg) Klotzsch ex B.D.Jacks. (Myrtaceae) species, commonly known as pitomba-da-baía, occurs in Restinga region in the state of Ceara and has medicinal potential. The present study aimed to characterize the anatomy of E. luschnathiana leaves in the rainy and dry seasons, as well as in the sun and shade in the Restinga region of Ceara, aiming to generate useful information to understand the adaptive value of morphoanatomic responses to the natural conditions of occurrence of the species. Collections were performed at the State Botanical Park of Ceara, and leaves were completely expanded and fixed in FAA70, being replaced by 70% ethanol after 24 h. Samples were submitted to standard plant anatomy methodologies in order to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the leaf blade and petiole structures. As a result, there were differences among sun and shade leaves, rain and dry. In relation to luminosity, most determinations were higher in sun leaves: trichome density and frequency; trichome scar frequency; stomatal frequency, stomatal index, length, width and area of stomata; thickness of leaf blade, mesophyll, cuticle, epidermis, palisade and spongy parenchyma; length and width of the central vein, area of the central vein vascular bundle, number of secretory cavities in the central vein; length and width of the petiole, area of the petiole vascular bundle; amount and area of secretory cavities in the petiole. In shade leaves, only the number of druses in the central vein and petiole were larger. Regarding seasonality, all determinations were higher in the rainy season, except for the length and width of the central vein; number of druses in the central vein and petiole; length of the petiole, area of the vascular bundle and secretory cavities of the petiole. Therefore, it could be concluded that E. luschnathiana has great acclimative capacity to conditions of intense luminosity and periods of water deficit.

Features of morphogenesis, accumulation and redistribution of assimilate and nitrogen containing compounds in tomatoes under retardants treatment

<p>We studied the influence of ethylene product Esphon® and triazole derivative Folicur® on the morphogenesis and productivity of tomatoes. The obtained results explained the significant role of morphological and mesostructural components of “source-sink” relation system of tomatoes in the formation of crop productivity. We established that the Folicur application resulted in more significant anatomical and morphological changes in the formation of leaf apparatus in comparison with the ethylene producer: the measurement of number, weight, area of leaf surface, and leaf index were higher in this variant of experiment. We also noted the appropriate changes in the mesostructure measurement of leaves: thickness of leave – main photosynthetic tissue of chlorenchyma, assimilatory cells size of palisade and spongy parenchyma. Analysis of depositing possibilities of plants vegetative organs at the fruitification stage indicates the importance of temporary postponement of nonstructural carbohydrates and nitrogen containing compounds in them followed by reutilization for carpogenesis needs. Application of Folicur resulted on the formation of a more powerful donor sphere and in the early fruit growth and formation stages are postponed more carbohydrates in vegetative organs of tomato plants compared to control. The content of sugars and starch in the roots, stems and leaves of plants under Folicur treatment was highest in all organs of the plant throughout the fruitification phase compared to control and variant with Esphon application. Our results also testify to the possibilities of nitrogen compounds remobilize from vegetative organs to carpogenesis needs. After Folicur treatment, the most intense decrease in the content of nitrogen containing compounds was observed during the transition from the fruit formation stage to green fruits stage in roots and stem of plant during the period of the most intense tomatoes growth. We concluded that a significant increase the yield of tomato crop was caused by the more powerful donor sphere formation and reutilization of assimilates and nitrogen containing compounds after Folicur application.</p>

Silicon and agar on in vitro development of cockscomb (Amaranthaceae)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of silicon and agar concentrations on cockscomb (Celosia cristata) (Amaranthaceae) development in vitro. Phytotechnical, anatomical, and ultrastructural analyses were carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 4x3 factorial arrangment, with four silicic acid concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g L-1) and three agar concentrations (5.5, 8.0, and 10.5 g L-1), totaling 12 treatments with seven replicates. Celosia cristata explants were inoculated in vitro in a Murashige & Skoog (MS) culture medium, with 30 g L-1 sucrose. The analyses were conducted 30 days after inoculation. Phytotechnical traits improve with agar concentration of 8.0 g L-1, and the association of this concentration with 1.0 g L-1 silicon also contributes to the improvement of anatomical attributes, especially of leaf blade width and thickness of the palisade and spongy parenchyma, which contributes to the development of C. cristata. None of the evaluated combinations of agar and silicon contributes to Si deposition on the foliar epidermis of this ornamental species.

Leaf Morphoanatomy and Biochemical Variation on Coffee Cultivars Under Drift Simulation of Glyphosate

ABSTRACT: The most widely used herbicide in coffee crop is glyphosate, it inhibits the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, responsible for structures and substances of plant defense. This work aimed to evaluate the morphoanatomy, total phenols, flavonoids and caffeine in leaves of Arabica coffee submitted to different sub-doses of glyphosate. The treatments were combinations of three coffee cultivars (MGS Travessia, Oeiras MG 6851 and Catuaí IAC 144) and five sub-doses of glyphosate (0.0, 57.6, 115.2, 230.4 and 460.8 g a.e. ha-1). The total thickness of the leaf blade, thickness of adaxial and abaxial epidermis, palisade and spongy parenchyma, in addition to the total phenol, total flavonoids and caffeine were evaluated 30 days after spraying. Catuaí showed a reduction in the total leaf thickness, while the others cultivars had an increase. The thickness of adaxial and abaxial epidermis and palisade parenchyma was reduced, and the spongy parenchyma increased with increasing doses of glyphosate, regardless of the cultivars. There was an increase on the total phenols up to 115.2 g ha-1 glyphosate, and above this dose, the concentrations of phenols were reduced. The Travessia and Oeiras cultivars obtained a reduction of flavonoids up to 115.2 g ha-1; and above this dose, the concentration of flavonoids increased. The Catuaí cultivar showed an opposing behavior of the concentration of flavonoids. Oeiras and Catuaí showed a decrease of caffeine up to 115.2 g ha-1 and an increase at higher doses. Travessia showed an increase of caffeine in sub-doses above 115.2 g ha-1. The three cultivars showed a higher concentration of phenols in the palisade parenchyma after the application of glyphosate drift. Glyphosate reduces the thickness of the adaxial and abaxial epidermis and palisade parenchyma, and increases the thickness of spongy parenchyma. Doses of glyphosate above 230.4 g ha-1 result in the reduction of total phenols. The concentration of flavonoids and caffeine has varying effects with glyphosate application.

STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY HERBICIDE CLOMAZONE IN LEAVES OF ARBORESCENT SPECIES NATIVE TO BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Herbicide clomazone is highly soluble in water, which increases the risk of leaching, resulting in contamination of sources of groundwater and waterways, affecting non-target organisms, with possible degradation of riparian areas. The objective of this work was to investigate the possible anatomical modifications of the leaf tissue of twelve arborescent species native to Brazil grown in soil contaminated by clomazone, in order to microscopically characterize leaf damage caused by the herbicide, and investigate whether the structural damage precedes visible damage. Through micro morphometrics, the thickness and the area occupied by the tissues were measured in a cross section of the leaves of the forest species: adaxial and abaxial epidermis, palisade and spongy parenchyma. It has been found that the species evaluated were affected by the presence of the pesticide in the soil, and the variable with the largest negative changes was the spongy parenchyma. Among the species, Inga marginata, Schizolobium parahyba and Handroantus. serratifolius had higher tolerance to the herbicide, demonstrating potential for studies on the mechanism by which these plants exert such tolerance. Overall, the results revealed that the forest species studied demonstrate significant alterations in leaf anatomy in response to the presence of residues of herbicide clomazone in the soil, even in leaves with no visible lesions.

Anatomical changes on coffee leaves infected by Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae

ABSTRACTAlthough poorly studied, the bacterial halo blight is an important disease in the major coffee-producing states of Brazil. External damage and anatomical changes on leaves were measured in seedlings of Coffea arabica cv. Mundo Novo, susceptible to Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae, by using histological sections obtained at 10 and 20 days after inoculation (DAI). The changes on the epidermis were smaller than the lesions measured in the mesophyll, irrespective of the evaluated colonization period, showing that the internal damage caused by the bacterium represent twice the damage observed externally. From the inoculation site, lysis occurred on the epidermal cells and on the palisade and spongy parenchyma cells, with strong staining of their cellular contents, as well as abnormal intercellular spaces in the palisade parenchyma, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of mesophyll cells and partial destruction of chloroplasts. Additionally, this study revealed the presence of inclusion bodies in epidermal and mesophyll cells. Bacterial masses were found in the apoplast between and within mesophyll cells. Bacteria were also observed in the bundle sheath and vascular bundles and were more pronounced at 20 DAI, not only near the inoculation site but also in distant areas, suggesting displacement through the vascular system. These results can be useful to understand this plant-pathogen interaction.