Abstract
Summary Surface characteristics of primary and secondary needles of Pinus canariensis were investigated using scanning electron micro-scopy and gas chromatography to study structure and composition of epicuticular wax, cuticle micromorphology and the structure of stomata. Tubular waxes could be observed on the whole needle surface of the glaucous primary needles whereas on secondary needles they were restricted to the lower surface of young needles. Recrystallization resulted in comparable wax tubes and, addition-ally, plate like structures recrystallized from primary needle wax. Isolated cuticles of primary needles were tender and showed a simple stomata complex with six subsidiary cells whereas the cuticles of secondary needles were massive and revealed 9–12 subsidiary cells. In contrast to the cuplike epistomatal chamber of the primary needles that of the secondary needles was larger and often irregularly formed. Main constituents of the cuticular wax were ω-hydroxy-n-alkanoic acids, 10-nonacosanol and n-alkanoic acids with no differences in the qualitative composition between primary and secondary needles but with some differences in the quantitative pattern. The possible role of the investigated cuticular features in adaptive strategies of the needles to avoid light and water stress is discussed.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call