Abstract
Leaf water repellency (LWR) is a very important plant trait that influences plant performance in many different ways in different habitats. Being always in contact with water, the conditions for aquatic plants (macrophytes) are very different than for terrestrial plants and many of the advantages of high water repellency are less relevant for submerged macrophyte leaves. This paper is the first to determine the LWR of submerged leaves of 6 common macrophyte species by measurements of a contact angle between a water droplet and the leaf surface. Contact angles varied between 30° and 80°, classifying all species as hydrophilic. Yet significant interspecific differences were found. Differences between the ab- and adaxial leaf sides were small. The presence of a biofilm changed contact angles across species by about 20° in a positive or negative direction, depending on periphyton mass. Potential ecological effects of variation in LWR are discussed for macrophytes and manipulation of the biofilm by the plants to optimize LWR is hypothesized.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
