Abstract
The surface structure and composition of surface lipids were examined in leaves of barley, bean, and cucumber seedlings grown in a growth chamber under white light and low levels of ultraviolet (UV-B; 280-320 nm) radiation. The cuticular wax of cucumber cotyledons and bean leaves appeared as a thin homogeneous layer, whereas on barley leaves crystal-like structures could be observed under these irradiation conditions. Principally, the amount of cuticular wax found in barley leaves was five times greater than in bean or cucumber leaves. The prediominant wax components were primary alcohols in barley, primary alcohols and monoesters in bean, and alkanes in cucumber cotyledons. Irradiation with enhanced UV-B levels caused an increase of total wax by about 25% in all plant species investigated. Aldehydes, detected as a minor constituent of cucumber and barley wax, increased twofold. Distribution patterns of the homologs within some wax classes were different at low and enhanced UV-B levels. In general, the distribution of the homologs was shifted to shorter acyl chain lengths in wax of leaves exposed to enhanced UV-B levels. This was most apparent in cucumber wax, less in bean or barley wax. The UV-B-caused effects upon cucumber wax were mainly due to a response by the adaxial surface of the leaf.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.