Aspects of leaf anatomy of kudzu (Pueraria lobata, Leguminosae-Faboideae) related to water and energy balance

Adaucto Bellarmino De Pereira-Netto,Hilton Silveira Pinto,Antonio Carlos Gabriele

doi:10.1590/s0100-204x1999000800006

Abstract

Kudzu is a cover crop that has escaped cultivation in some subtropical and warm temperate regions. Kudzu has previously demonstrated broad intraspecific physiological plasticity while colonizing new environments. The objective of this paper was to investigate characteristics of kudzu leaflet anatomy that might contribute to its successful growth in climatically distinct environments, and to escape cultivation as well. Fresh and fixed leaflet strips of field-grown plants were analyzed. The lower epidermis of kudzu showed a higher frequency of stomata (147 ± 19 stomata mm-2) than the upper epidermis (26 ± 17 stomata mm-2). The average number of trichomes per square milimeter was 8 for both the upper and the lower epidermis. The average trichome length was 410 ± 200 mum for the upper epidermis and 460 ± 190 mum for the lower epidermis. Cuticle thickness was not considerably different between lower and upper epidermis. The leaflet blade consisted basically of two layers (upper and lower) of unicellular epidermis, two layers of palisade parenchyma and one layer of spongy parenchyma. One layer of paraveinal mesophyll was found between palisade and spongy parenchyma. In conclusion, leaflets of kudzu present anatomical characteristics that might contribute to the broad physiological plasticity shown by kudzu.

Highlights

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is a perennial fast growing twining vine native to temperate and subtropical regions in eastern Asia
The lower epidermis showed a number of stomata per square millimeter equal to 147 ± 19 ( x ± sd), while the upper epidermis showed a frequency of stomata equal to 26 ± 17 ( x ± sd)
Stomatal frequencies found in this study were lower when compared to stomatal frequencies found for glasshouse-grown plants of tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) (Pereira Netto et al, 1997)

Summary

Introduction

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (kudzu) is a perennial fast growing twining vine native to temperate and subtropical regions in eastern Asia. Kudzu is a nitrogen fixing cover crop used as forage throughout the subtropics and in some warm temperate regions (Bogdan, 1977). In the United States, kudzu escaped cultivation and is the most important weed associated with forestry (Carter et al, 1989). Kudzu now is considered a noxious weed, and interest has shifted towards its control and eradication (Forseth & Teramura, 1987). More recent research focusing on the possible utilization of kudzu for the recovery of eroded and low fertility soils has been carried out (Lynd & Ansman, 1990)

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