Leaf Anatomy and Function

Root and shoot phenology, architecture, and organ properties: an integrated trait network among 44 herbaceous wetland species

Integrating traits across above- and belowground organs offers comprehensive insights into plant ecology, but their various functions also increase model complexity. This study aimed to illuminate the interspecific pattern of whole-plant trait correlations through a network lens, including a detailed analysis of the root system. Using a network algorithm that allows individual traits to belong to multiple modules, we characterize interrelations among 19 traits, spanning both shoot and root phenology, architecture, morphology, and tissue properties of 44 species, mostly herbaceous monocots from Northern Ontario wetlands, grown in a common garden. The resulting trait network shows three distinct yet partially overlapping modules. Two major trait modules indicate constraints of plant size and form, and resource economics, respectively. These modules highlight the interdependence between shoot size, root architecture and porosity, and a shoot-root coordination in phenology and dry-matter content. A third module depicts leaf biomechanical adaptations specific to wetland graminoids. All three modules overlap on shoot height, suggesting multifaceted constraints of plant stature. In the network, individual-level traits showed significantly higher centrality than tissue-level traits do, demonstrating a hierarchical trait integration. The presented whole-plant, integrated network suggests that trait covariation is essentially function-driven rather than organ-specific.

Leaf stomatal traits rather than anatomical traits regulate gross primary productivity of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) stands

Leaf stomatal and anatomical traits strongly influence plant productivity. Understanding the environmental adaptation mechanisms of leaf stomatal and anatomical traits and their relationship with ecosystem productivity is essential to better understand and predict the long-term adaptation strategies to climate change of moso bamboo forests. Here, we selected 6 sites within the moso bamboo distribution area, measured 3 leaf stomatal traits and 10 leaf anatomical traits of unmanaged moso bamboo stands. We explored the spatial variation characteristics of these traits and their response to environmental changes, assessed the relationships among these traits at regional scales through network analysis, and tested the direct and indirect effects of environmental, leaf stomatal and anatomical traits on gross primary productivity (GPP) of bamboo stands using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that both climate and soil factors significantly affected leaf stomatal and anatomical traits of moso bamboo. Solar radiation (SR) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) out of the climatic factors were the key drivers of variation in leaf stomatal and anatomical traits, respectively. Soil moisture and nutrients out of the soil properties significantly affected both leaf stomatal and anatomical traits of moso bamboo. Network analysis further indicated that there was a significant correlation between leaf stomata and anatomical traits. Stomatal size (SS) showed the highest centrality value at the regional scale, indicating that it plays a key role in adjusting the adaptation of plants to external environmental conditions. SEM analysis showed that environment did not directly but indirectly affect GPP via stomatal performance. The environment explained 53.3% and 39.2% of the variation in leaf stomatal and anatomical traits, respectively, and leaf stomatal traits explained 20.8% of the regional variation in GPP. Our results demonstrate a direct effect of leaf stomatal traits rather than leaf anatomical traits on bamboo ecosystem productivity, which provides new insights into model predictions of bamboo forests under global climate change.

Linking leaf economic and hydraulic traits with early-age growth performance and survival of Eucalyptus pauciflora

Selection on plant functional traits may occur through their direct effects on fitness (or a fitness component), or may be mediated by attributes of plant performance which have a direct impact on fitness. Understanding this link is particularly challenging for long-lived organisms, such as forest trees, where lifetime fitness assessments are rarely achievable, and performance features and fitness components are usually quantified from early-life history stages. Accordingly, we studied a cohort of trees from multiple populations of Eucalyptus pauciflora grown in a common-garden field trial established at the hot and dry end of the species distribution on the island of Tasmania, Australia. We related the within-population variation in leaf economic (leaf thickness, leaf area and leaf density) and hydraulic (stomatal density, stomatal length and vein density) traits, measured from two-year-old plants, to two-year growth performance (height and stem diameter) and to a fitness component (seven-year survival). When performance-trait relationships were modelled for all traits simultaneously, statistical support for direct effects on growth performance was only observed for leaf thickness and leaf density. Performance-based estimators of directional selection indicated that individuals with reduced leaf thickness and increased leaf density were favoured. Survival-performance relationships were consistent with size-dependent mortality, with fitness-based selection gradients estimated for performance measures providing evidence for directional selection favouring individuals with faster growth. There was no statistical support for an effect associated with the fitness-based quadratic selection gradient estimated for growth performance. Conditional on a performance measure, fitness-based directional selection gradients estimated for the leaf traits did not provide statistical support for direct effects of the focal traits on tree survival. This suggested that, under the environmental conditions of the trial site and time period covered in the current study, early-stage selection on the studied leaf traits may be mediated by their effects on growth performance, which in turn has a positive direct influence on later-age survival. We discuss the potential mechanistic basis of the direct effects of the focal leaf traits on tree growth, and the relevance of a putative causal pathway of trait effects on fitness through mediation by growth performance in the studied hot and dry environment.

Cost-benefit analysis of mesophyll conductance: diversities of anatomical, biochemical and environmental determinants

BACKGROUND

Plants invest photosynthates in construction and maintenance of their structures and functions. Such investments are considered costs. These costs are recovered by the CO2 assimilation rate (A) in the leaves, and thus A is regarded as the immediate, short-term benefit. In photosynthesizing leaves, CO2 diffusion from the air to the carboxylation site is hindered by several structural and biochemical barriers. CO2 diffusion from the intercellular air space to the chloroplast stroma is obstructed by the mesophyll resistance. The inverses is the mesophyll conductance (gm). Whether various plants realize an optimal gm, and how much investment is needed for a relevant gm, remain unsolved.

SCOPE

This review examines relationships among leaf construction costs (CC), leaf maintenance costs (MC) and gm in various plants under diverse growth conditions. Through a literature survey, we demonstrate a strong linear relationship between leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf CC. The overall correlation of CC vs. gm across plant phylogenetic groups is weak, but significant trends are evident within specific groups and/or environments. Investment in CC is necessary for an increase in LMA and mesophyll cell surface area (Smes). This allows the leaf to accommodate more chloroplasts, thus increasing A. However, increases in LMA and/or Smes often accompany other changes, such as cell wall thickening, which diminishes gm. Such factors that make the correlations of CC and gm elusive are identified.

CONCLUSIONS

For evaluation of the contribution of gm to recover CC, leaf life span is the key factor. The estimation of MC in relation to gm, especially in terms of costs required to regulate aquaporins, could be essential for efficient control of gm over the short term. Over the long term, costs are mainly reflected in CC, while benefits also include ultimate fitness attributes in terms of integrated carbon gain over the life of a leaf, plant survival and reproductive output.

Structural determinants of phytoremediation capacity in saltmarsh halophyte Diplachne fusca (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. subsp. fusca

Micro and macro-morphological features contribute to plants' tolerance to a variety of environmental pollutants. The contribution of such structural modifications in the phytoremediation potential of Diplachne fusca populations collected from five saline habitats were explored when treated with 100 to 400 mM NaCl for 75 days along with control. Structural modifications in the populations from the highest salinity included development of aerenchyma in stem instead of chlorenchyma, absence of excretory hairs in stem, and exceptionally large trichomes on the leaf surface to help excretion of excess salt. Large parenchyma cells provided more space for water and solute storage, while broad metaxylem vessels were linked to better conduction water and nutrients, which ultimately excreted via glandular hairs, microhairs, and vesicular hairs. Broad metaxylem vessels and exceptionally long hairs observed in the populations collected from 52 dS m^-1. In conclusion, large stem aerenchyma, exceptionally large trichomes on the leaf surface, and tightly packed outer cortical region in roots with intensive sclerification just inside the epidermis accompanied with salt excretion via glandular hairs, microhairs, and vesicular hairs were the main anatomical modifications involved in the phytoremediation potential of D. fusca in hyper-saline environments.

Anatomical adjustment of mature leaves of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) to increased irradiance

Trees regenerating in the understory respond to increased availability of light caused by gap formation by undergoing a range of morphological and physiological adjustments. These adjustments include the production of thick, sun-type leaves containing thicker mesophyll and longer palisade cells than in shade-type leaves. We asked whether in the shade-regenerating tree Acer pseudoplatanus, the increase in leaf thickness and expansion of leaf tissues are possible also in leaves that had been fully formed prior to the increase in irradiance, a response reported so far only for a handful of species. We acclimated potted seedlings to eight levels (from 1 to 100%) of solar irradiance and, in late summer, transferred a subset of them to full sunlight. Within 30 days, the shaded leaves increased leaf mass per area and became thicker mostly due to elongation of palisade cells, except for the most shaded individuals which suffered irreversible photo-oxidative damage. This anatomical acclimation was accompanied by partial degradation of chlorophyll and a transient decline in photosynthetic efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_M). These effects were related to the degree of pre-shading. The F_v/F_M recovered substantially within the re-acclimation period. However, leaves of transferred plants were shed significantly earlier in the fall, indicating that the acclimation was not fully effective. These results show that A. pseudoplatanus is one of the few known species in which mature leaves may re-acclimate anatomically to increased irradiance. This may be a potentially important mechanism enhancing utilization of gaps created during the growing season.

Genetic regulators of leaf size in Brassica crops

Leaf size influences plant development and biomass and is also an important agricultural trait in Brassica crops, in which leaves are the main organ produced for consumption. Leaf size is determined by the coordinated regulation of cell proliferation and cell expansion during leaf development, and these processes are strictly controlled by various integrated signals from the intrinsic regulatory network and the growth environment. Understanding the molecular mechanism of leaf size control is a prerequisite for molecular breeding for crop improvement purposes. Although research on leaf size control is just beginning in Brassica, recent studies have identified several genes and QTLs that are important in leaf size regulation. These genes have been proposed to influence leaf growth through different pathways and mechanisms, including phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling, transcription regulation, small RNAs, and others. In this review, we summarize the current findings regarding the genetic regulators of leaf size in Brassica and discuss future prospects for this research.

From one side to two sides: the effects of stomatal distribution on photosynthesis

The functions of stomata have been studied for a long time; however, a clear understanding of the influences of stomatal distribution on photosynthesis, especially the CO₂ diffusion, is still unclear. Here, we investigated the stomatal morphology, distribution on leaf surfaces, vein traits and gas exchange parameters of 61 species, of which 29 were amphistomatous, spanning 32 families. Photosynthesis (A) was tightly coupled with operational stomatal conductance (g_s ) and mesophyll conductance (g_m ) regardless of whether phylogenetic relationships were accounted for. Although the enhancement of g_s from ferns and gymnosperms to angiosperms could largely be explained by the increase in leaf vein density (VLA) and stomatal density (SD), the g_s was decoupled from VLA and SD across angiosperm species. Instead, A in angiosperms was further influenced by the allocation of stomatal pores on leaf surfaces, which dramatically increased g_s and g_m . Moreover, the ratio of g_s to anatomically based maximum g_s was, on average, 0.12 across species. Our results show that the shift of stomatal pores from one leaf side to both sides played an important role in regulating CO₂ diffusion via both stomata and mesophyll tissues. Modifications of stomata distribution have potential as a functional trait for photosynthesis improvement.

A Stomatal Model of Anatomical Tradeoffs Between Gas Exchange and Pathogen Colonization

Stomatal pores control leaf gas exchange and are one route for infection of internal plant tissues by many foliar pathogens, setting up the potential for tradeoffs between photosynthesis and pathogen colonization. Anatomical shifts to lower stomatal density and/or size may also limit pathogen colonization, but such developmental changes could permanently reduce the gas exchange capacity for the life of the leaf. I developed and analyzed a spatially explicit model of pathogen colonization on the leaf as a function of stomatal size and density, anatomical traits which partially determine maximum rates of gas exchange. The model predicts greater stomatal size or density increases the probability of colonization, but the effect is most pronounced when the fraction of leaf surface covered by stomata is low. I also derived scaling relationships between stomatal size and density that preserves a given probability of colonization. These scaling relationships set up a potential anatomical conflict between limiting pathogen colonization and minimizing the fraction of leaf surface covered by stomata. Although a connection between gas exchange and pathogen defense has been suggested empirically, this is the first mathematical model connecting gas exchange and pathogen defense via stomatal anatomy. A limitation of the model is that it does not include variation in innate immunity and stomatal closure in response to pathogens. Nevertheless, the model makes predictions that can be tested with experiments and may explain variation in stomatal size and density among plants. The model is generalizable to many types of pathogens, but lacks significant biological realism that may be needed for precise predictions.

Structural basis for C4 photosynthesis without Kranz anatomy in leaves of the submerged freshwater plant Ottelia alismoides

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ottelia alismoides (Hydrocharitaceae) is a freshwater macrophyte that, unusually, possesses three different CO2-concentrating mechanisms. Here we describe its leaf anatomy and chloroplast ultrastructure, how these are altered by CO2 concentration and how they may underlie C4 photosynthesis.

METHODS

Light and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the anatomy of mature leaves of O. alismoides grown at high and low CO2 concentrations. Diel acid change and the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase were measured to confirm that CAM activity and C4 photosynthesis were present.

KEY RESULTS

When O. alismoides was grown at low CO2, the leaves performed both C4 and CAM photosynthesis whereas at high CO2 leaves used C4 photosynthesis. The leaf comprised an upper and lower layer of epidermal cells separated by a large air space occupying about 22 % of the leaf transverse-section area, and by mesophyll cells connecting the two epidermal layers. Kranz anatomy was absent. At low CO2, chloroplasts in the mesophyll cells were filled with starch even at the start of the photoperiod, while epidermal chloroplasts contained small starch grains. The number of chloroplasts in the epidermis was greater than in the mesophyll cells. At high CO2, the structure was unchanged but the thicknesses of the two epidermal layers, the air space, mesophyll and the transverse-section area of cells and air space were greater.

CONCLUSIONS

Leaves of O. alismoides have epidermal and mesophyll cells that contain chloroplasts and large air spaces but lack Kranz anatomy. The high starch content of mesophyll cells suggests they may benefit from an internal source of CO2, for example via C4 metabolism, and are also sites of starch storage. The air spaces may help in the recycling of decarboxylated or respired CO2. The structural similarity of leaves at low and high CO2 is consistent with the constitutive nature of bicarbonate and C4 photosynthesis. There is sufficient structural diversity within the leaf of O. alismoides to support dual-cell C4 photosynthesis even though Kranz anatomy is absent.

Shape matters: the pitfalls of analyzing mesophyll anatomy

This article is a Commentary on https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16219 .

Dorsoventral photosynthetic asymmetry of tobacco leaves in response to direct and diffuse light

Plants can change leaf forms, adjusting light conditions on their adaxial and abaxial surfaces, to adapt to light environments and enhance their light use efficiencies. The difference between photosynthesis on the two leaf sides (dorsoventral asymmetry) is an important factor that affects light use efficiency. However, photosynthetic dorsoventral asymmetry is rarely compared under direct and diffuse light conditions. To estimate the impacts of recently reported alterations in direct and diffuse light in the sky radiation on plant carbon assimilation, variations in morphology between the two leaf sides in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) were investigated, and the dorsoventral responses of photosynthesis to illuminating directions were compared in direct and diffuse light. Dorsoventral asymmetry was reflected in stomatal densities, anatomic structures, and photochemical traits, which caused markedly different photosynthetic rates as well as stomatal conductances both in direct and diffuse light. However, the degree of photosynthetic asymmetry was weakened in diffuse light. The diffuse light caused a greater stomatal conductance on the abaxial side than direct light, which resulted in reduced photosynthetic asymmetry. In addition, the photosynthetic dorsoventral asymmetry could be affected by the photosynthetic photon flux density. These results contribute to understanding the dorsoventral regulation of photosynthesis in bifacial leaves, and provide a reference for breeding to cope with the increase in the proportion of diffuse light in the future.