High levels of anatomical and physiological leaf plasticity of Ocotea odorifera (Lauraceae) in response to different radiation intensities

We investigated morpho-physiological plasticity in the leaves of Ocotea odorifera trees growing under different environmental conditions in a fragmented forest. Microclimatic data were collected in a pasture matrix, forest edge, and forest interior in three Atlantic Forest fragments. Leaf gas exchange, as well as leaf anatomy in paradermal and transversal sections, were evaluated in individuals in these environments. Radiation intensity and temperature had higher effects in the pasture matrix compared with the forest interior and forest edge. However, internal portions of the canopy did not exhibit significant variation in radiation or temperature. External canopy leaves exhibited higher net photosynthesis in plants from the pasture matrix, but there was higher net photosynthesis for internal leaves from the shaded forest interior. Variation in net photosynthesis and other gas-exchange parameters were related to thinner shade leaves in forest interior individuals, and internal leaves with lower stomatal density. Although the pasture matrix, forest edge, and forest interior experienced differences in light and temperature, leaf position in the canopy produced microclimatic variations, which modified gas exchange and anatomy. Thus, O. odorifera shows the potential for reforestation programs because of its high leaf plasticity, which will enable it to overcome variations in light and temperature.

Bi-Pinnate Compound Serianthes nelsonii Leaf-Level Plasticity Magnifies Leaflet-Level Plasticity

Numerous leaf traits exhibit developmental plasticity in response to irradiance, an attribute that maximizes performance in the prevailing light. The use of leaflets to represent whole leaf traits of tree species with compound leaves is common in the acclimation literature. These methods ignore the potential for whole leaf plasticity to augment leaflet plasticity. We grew Serianthes nelsonii plants in incident light ranging from 6% to 100% of sunlight and quantified numerous leaflet and leaf traits to determine plasticity index (PI: (maximum-minimum)/maximum)) of each. Leaflet acclimation such as changes in length of palisade mesophyll occurred as expected. However, leaf-level morphometric traits such as rachillae insertion angle also exhibited acclimation potential. The leaf-level plastic behavior enabled acclimation approaches that simple-leaved species do not possess. We illuminate the need to look at the entire leaf when quantifying acclimation potential of tree leaves, and indicate that the historical use of leaflets to represent species with compound leaves under-estimated the acclimation potential when compared to species with simple leaves.

Production and leaf plasticity of rose plants sprayed with paclobutrazol and daminozide

The aim of this work was to evaluate morphological and anatomical alterations in leaves of ‘Yellow Terrazza’® and ‘Red White Terrazza’® pot roses sprayed with paclobutrazol (0, 40, 60, 80 mg L-1) and daminozide (0, 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000 mg L-1). The experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions using a factorial treatment design (cultivars x growth retardant doses) with five replications and experimental units arranged in randomized blocks. Cv. Yellow Terrazza ® presented higher plants, greater floral diameter and leaf area than cv. Red White Terrazza ®. Plant height, leaf area, and flower diameter decreased linearly with paclobutrazol and daminozide doses. In addition, paclobutrazol and daminozide applications changed leaf tissue proportions by increasing the thickness of leaf blade, mesophyll, palisade parenchyma, and spongy parenchyma but did not influence the thickness of leaf epidermis.

What is the influence of ordinary epidermal cells and stomata on the leaf plasticity of coffee plants grown under full-sun and shady conditions?

Stomata are crucial in land plant productivity and survival. In general, with lower irradiance, stomatal and epidermal cell frequency per unit leaf area decreases, whereas guard-cell length or width increases. Nevertheless, the stomatal index is accepted as remaining constant. The aim of this paper to study the influence of ordinary epidermal cells and stomata on leaf plasticity and the influence of these characteristics on stomata density, index, and sizes, in the total number of stomata, as well as the detailed distribution of stomata on a leaf blade. As a result, a highly significant positive correlation (R²a = 0.767 p < 0.001) between stomatal index and stomatal density, and with ordinary epidermal cell density (R²a = 0.500 p < 0.05), and a highly negative correlation between stomatal index and ordinary epidermal cell area (R²a = -0.571 p < 0.001), were obtained. However in no instance was the correlation between stomatal index or stomatal density and stomatal dimensions taken into consideration. The study also indicated that in coffee, the stomatal index was 19.09% in shaded leaves and 20.08% in full-sun leaves. In this sense, variations in the stomatal index by irradiance, its causes and the consequences on plant physiology were discussed.

Leaf plasticity in successive selection cycles of 'Saracura' maize in response to periodic soil flooding

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of successive selection cycles on leaf plasticity of 'Saracura' maize BRS-4154 under periodical flooding in field conditions. Soil flooding started at the six-leaf stage with the application of a 20-cm depth water layer three times a week. At flowering, samples of leaves were collected and fixed. Paradermic and transverse sections were observed under photonic microscope. Several changes were observed throughout the selection cycles, such as modifications in the number and size of the stomata, higher amount of vascular bundles and the resulting decrease of the distance between them, smaller diameter of the metaxylem, decrease of cuticle and epidermis thickness, decrease of number and size of bulliform cells, increase of phloem thickness, smaller sclerenchyma area. Therefore, the successive selection cycles of 'Saracura' maize resulted in changes in the leaf anatomy, which might be favorable to the plant's tolerance to the intermittent flooding of the soil.