Root to Shoot Communication in Maize Plants of the Effects of Soil Drying

Seedlings of Zea mays L. (John Innes hybrid) were grown withroots divided between two containers such that part of the rootsystem could reduce the water potential of the soil in its immediatevicinity while the rest of the root system was well suppliedwith water. When compared to plants rooted in two pots of moistsoil, drying of part of the root system resulted in partialclosure of stomata, even though leaf water potential, turgorand abscisic acid (ABA) content remained unaffected. When leafpieces were removed from the two groups of plants and incubatedunder conditions favourable for stomatal opening, stomata ofthe ‘half-watered’ plants still showed restrictedapertures. Incubation in kinetin (10 mmol m^–3) or zeatin(100 mmol m^–3) reversed the closure of stomata stimulatedby soil drying. These results suggest that a continuous supplyof cytokinin from roots may be necessary to sustain maximalstomatal opening and an interruption of this supply due to soildrying may act as an indicator of inhibited root activity, resultingin restricted stomatal opening and thereby restricted wateruse. Key words: Zea mays L., Soil drying, Stomata, Roots     

Leaf-like Structure in the Photosynthetic, Succulent Stems of Cacti

This research examined the hypothesis that as cacti evolve tothe leafless condition, the stem epidermis and cortex becomemore leaflike and more compatible with a photosynthetic role.All cacti in the relict genus Pereskia have non-succulent stemsand broad, thin leaves. All members of the derived subfamilyCactoideae are ‘leafless’, having an expanded cortexthat is the plant's only photosynthetic tissue. In Pereskia,leaves have a high stomatal density (mean: 50.7 stomata mm^–2in the lower epidermis, 38.1 mm^–2 in the upper epidermis),but stems have low stomatal densities (mean: 11.3 mm ₂, threeof the species have none). Stems of Cactoideae have a high stomataldensity (mean: 31.1 mm^–2, all species have stomata). Theouter cortex cells of stems of Cactoideae occur in columns,forming a palisade cortex similar to a leaf palisade parenchyma.In this palisade cortex, the fraction of tissue volume availablefor gas diffusion has a mean volume of 12.9%, which is identicalto that of Pereskia leaf palisade parenchyma. Pereskia stemcortex is much less aerenchymatous (mean: 5.3% of cortex volume).Cactoideae palisade cortex has a high internal surface density(0.0207 cm₂ cm^–2 which is higher than in Pereskia stemcortex (0.0150 cm₂ cm^–3) but not as high as Pereskia leafpalisade parenchyma (0.0396 cm₂ cm^–3). Pereskia stem cortexhas no cortical bundles, but Cactoideae cortexes have extensivenetworks of collateral vascular bundles that resemble leaf veins. Cactaceae, cactus, intercellular space, stomatal density, internal surface/volume, evolution     

Effect of Elevated CO2 on Stomatal Size and Distribution in Perennial Ryegrass

Plants of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Melle) were grownfrom the early seedling stage in growth cabinets at a day/nighttemperature of 20/15 °C, with a 12-h photoperiod, and aCO₂ concentration of either 340 or 680 ± 15 µl1^–1 CO₂. Young, fully-expanded, acclimated leaves fromprimary branches were sampled for length of stomata, and ofepidermal cells between stomata, numbers of stomata and epidermalcells per unit length of stomatal row, numbers of stomatal rowsacross the leaf and numbers of stomatal rows between adjacentvein ridges. Elevated CO₂ had no significant effect on any ofthe measured parameters. Elevated CO₂, Lolium perenne, ryegrass, stomatal distribution, stomatal size     

Stomatal Functioning of In Vitro and Greenhouse Apple Leaves in Darkness, Mannitol, ABA, and CO2

Leaves from in vitro and greenhouse cultured plants of Malusdomestica (Borkh.) cv. Mark were subjected to 4 h of darkness;4 h of 1 M mannitol induced water stress; 1 h of 10^–4M to 10^–7 M cis-trans abscisic acid (ABA) treatment; 1h of 0.12% atmospheric CO₂. Stomatal closure was determinedby microscopic examination of leaf imprints. In all treatments,less than 5% of the stomata from leaves of in vitro culturedplants were closed. The diameter of open stomata on leaves fromin vitro culture remained at 8 µm. In contrast, an averageof 96% of the stomata on leaves of greenhouse grown plants wereclosed after 4 h in darkness; 56% after 4 h of mannitol inducedwater stress; 90% after 1 h of 10^–4 M ABA treatment; 61%after 1 h in an atmosphere of 0.12% CO₂. Stomata of in vitroapple leaves did not seem to have a closure mechanism, but acquiredone during acclimatization to the greenhouse environment. Thelack of stomatal closure in in vitro plants was the main causeof rapid water loss during transfer to low relative humidity.     

Patterns of Assimilate Distribution and Source--sink Relationships in the Young Reproductive Tomato Plant (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Patterns of distribution of ¹⁴C were determined in 47-day-oldtomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) 24 h after theapplication of [¹⁴C]sucrose to individual source leaves fromleaves 1–10 (leaf 1 being the first leaf produced abovethe cotyledons). The first inflorescence of these plants wasbetween the ‘buds visible’ and the ‘firstanthesis’ stages of development. The predominant sink organs in these plants were the root system,the stem, the developing first inflorescence and the shoot ‘apex’(all tissues above node 10). The contribution made by individualsource leaves to the assimilate reaching these organs dependedupon the vertical position of the leaf on the main-stem axisand upon its position with respect to the phyllotactic arrangementof the leaves about this axis. The root system received assimilateprincipally from leaf 5 and higher leaves, and the stem apexfrom the four lowest leaves. The developing first inflorescencereceived assimilates mainly from leaves in the two orthostichiesadjacent to the radial position of the inflorescence on thevertical axis of the plant; these included leaves which weremajor contributors of ¹⁴C to the root system (leaves 6 and 8)and to the shoot apex (leaves 1 and 3). This pattern of distributionof assimilate may explain why root-restriction treatments andremoval of young leaves at the shoot apex can reduce the extentof flower bud abortion in the first inflorescence under conditionsof reduced photoassimilate availability. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, tomato, assimilate distribution, source-sink relationships     

Changing Responses of Stomata to Abscisic Acid and CO2 as Leaves and Plants Age

Willmer, C. M., Wilson, A. B. and Jones, H. G. 1988. Changingresponses of stomata to abscisic acid and CO₂ as leaves andplants age.—J. exp. Bot. 39: 401–410. Stomatal conductances were measured in ageing leaves of Commelinacommunis L. as plants developed; stomatal responses to CO₂ andabscisic acid (ABA) in epidermal strips of C. communis takenfrom ageing leaves of developing plants and in epidermal stripsfrom the same-aged leaves (the first fully-expanded leaf) ofdeveloping plants were also monitored. Stomatal behaviour wascorrelated with parallel measurements of photosynthesis andleaf ABA concentrations. Stomatal conductance in intact leavesdecreased from a maximum of 0-9 cm s^{– 1} at full leaf expansionto zero about 30 d later when leaves were very senescent. Conductancesdeclined more slowly with age in unshaded leaves. Photosynthesisof leaf slices also declined with age from a maximum at fullleaf expansion until about 30 d later when no O₂ exchange wasdetectable. Exogenously applied ABA (0.1 mol m^{– 3}) didnot affect respiration or photosynthesis. In epidermal stripstaken from ageing leaves the widest stomatal apertures occurredabout 10 d after full leaf expansion (just before floweringbegan) and then decreased with age; this decrease was less dramaticin unshaded leaves. The inhibitory effects of ABA on stomatalopening in epidermal strips decreased as leaves aged and wasgreater in the presence of CO₂ than in its absence. When leaveswere almost fully-senescent stomata were still able to open.At this stage, guard cells remained healthy-looking with greenchloroplasts while mesophyll cells were senescing and theirchloroplasts were yellow. Similar data were obtained for stomatain epidermal strips taken from the same-aged leaves of ageingplants. The inhibitory effects of ABA on stomatal opening alsodecreased with plant age. In ageing leaves both free and conjugated ABA concentrationsremained low before increasing dramatically about 30 d afterfull leaf expansion when senescence was well advanced. Concentrationsof free and conjugated ABA remained similar to each other atall times. It is concluded that the restriction of stomatal movements inintact leaves as the leaves and plants age is due mainly toa fall in photosynthetic capacity of the leaves which affectsintracellular CO₂ levels rather than to an inherent inabilityof the stomata to function normally. Since stomatal aperturein epidermal strips declines with plant and leaf age and stomatabecome less responsive to ABA (while endogenous leaf ABA levelsremain fairly constant until leaf senescence) it is suggestedthat some signal, other than ABA, is transmitted from the leafor other parts of the plant to the stomata and influences theirbehaviour. Key words: Abscisic acid, CO₂, Commelina, leaf age, senescence, stomatal sensitivity     

Statistical Distribution of Stomatal Apertures of Vicia faba and Hordeum vulgare and the Spannungsphase of Stomatal Opening

Plants of Vicia faba and Hordeum vulgare were grown in growthboxes with 7 mW cm^–2 PAR, 14 h day/10 h night, at 22/20°C. Stomata of attached leaves were measured under controlledconditions by means of an optical microscope and the distributionfunctions of the widths of pores were established. For Viciafaba they appeared to be symmetrical bell-shaped functions.In the process of stomatal opening or closure the shape of thedistribution remained constant, its maximum sliding left andright along the aperture axis. This result has been interpretedto mean that increments or decrements of apertures were equalfor all stomata independent of their individual apertures. Theconclusion has been drawn that the ‘driving force’is evenly distributed, equal for all stomata, and varies withinwider limits than is possible for stomatal apertures. Stomatalopening is limited by the closed state from below and by ananatomically possible maximum aperture from above.     

Comparative Effects of Soil Moisture Stress and Restricted Root Zone Volume on Morphogenetic and Physiological Responses of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Significant differences in response to soil moisture stress(SMS) and restricted root zone volume (RRZV) were found in twocultivars of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (‘Forrest’and ‘Williams’) plants grown under controlled-environmentconditions. Leaf water potentials of SMS-treated plants were0·4-0·6 MPa lower than those of controls and stomata1conductances 23-56% lower. In the case of RRZV treatment, however,there were no differences in either parameter. Initiation ofnew leaves as reflected in the plastochron index was stronglyreduced by SMS but was unaffected by RRZV. Photosynthetic rates(CO₂ fixation dm² of leaf) of plants given SMS were reducedby 11-21% while those of RRZV-treated plants were unaffected.SMS caused a strong preferential allocation of dry matter tothe root at the expense of the shoot in both cultivars. RRZV,however, had no effect on assimilate distribution in ‘Forrest’and only slightly favoured root growth in ‘Williams.’Carbohydrate concentrations of both alcohol-soluble and insolublefractions were increased significantly by SMS, especially inthe leaves, but were little affected by RRZV. Nitrogen concentrationin the root fraction was reduced by 22-24% and that in the leafand stem fractions by 7-14% under SMS but was not affected appreciablyby RRZV. Phosphorus concentration in the leaf, stem, and rootfractions was reduced by 45-65% under SMS but was relativelyunaffected by RRZV. These findings suggest that SMS and RRZVare basically different in their mechanism of action and thatthe impairment of growth resulting from these two stresses mayinvolve different physiological processes. Our results alsoindicate that the suppressive effects of small containers onplant growth do not necessarily result from inadvertent SMS. Key words: Drought, Container effects, Glycine max (L.) Merr     

Stomata and Structure of Tetraploid Apple Leaves cultured in Vitro

Leaves of anther-derived tetraploid apple (Malus pumila Mill.)shoots were examined by low-temperature scanning electron microscopy(LT-SEM). Leaves were serrate and wide with an undulating adaxialsurface due to convex epidermal cells, apparently without crystallineepicuticular wax. Stomata were absent from the adaxial surface,except for the marginal teeth which exhibited 40-60 stomataper leaf; they probably originated from residual mitotic activity.One third of abaxial stomata was occluded by the residual cuticleof the mother guard cell across the stomatal pore which rupturedwhen the stomata became functional. The stomatal index was 7·2(± 1·6) with 60-75 stomata mm^-2, i.e. abaxialstomata of tetraploid leaves expanded in vitro were less frequentthan those in triploid leaves either cultured in vitro (475-575stomata mm^-2) or grown on the tree (320-390 stomata mm^-2) wherethe stomatal index was 21 (± 4). Freeze-fracture transsectionsshowed that the tetraploid in vitro leaves were composed ofa layer of adaxial epidermal cells, followed by a single layerof palisade cells and four to five layers of spongy mesophyllcells and the abaxial layer of epidermal cells, in contrastto juvenile seedling-grown apple leaves in which the two layersof palisade cells comprised the majority (52-60%) of the leafvolume. The same morphological features, such as wide and lesspointed leaves, reduced stomatal density and stomatal index,and increased stomatal size that were previously reported fortree-grown tetraploid leaves were also expressed in vitro. Thus,causes of the stomatal deformation in tissue-cultured Rosaceaeare interpreted to be in part genetic and not purely environmental.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Malus pumila Mill., apple, biotechnology, breeding, cryo-preservation, CO₂, juvenile, low temperature-scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM), micropropagation, ploidy, stomata, tissue-culture, transpiration     

On the Mechanism of Phase Control by Light in the Rhythm of Carbon Dioxide Output in Leaves of Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi

The induction of phase shifts in the rhythm of CO₂ output inleaves of Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi kept in continuous darknessand a CO₂-free air stream at 15 °C has been investigatedby scanning the circadian cycle with 1-h and 3-h exposures tolow fluence rates of red light. The experiments were designedto test the hypothesis (Wilkins, 1983) that phase-shift inductionwas achieved by the redistribution of malate between the vacuolarand cytoplasmic compartments of the leaf cells due to red lightopening ‘gates’ in the tonoplast through which malatediffusion can take place. The use of red light exposures oftwo different durations enabled the direction of phase shiftsto be established. From 8 h to about 22 h of darkness, whenthe cytoplasm would be expected to have a higher level of malatethan the vacuole, only phase advances were observed, as predictedfrom the hypothesis. At later times in the cycle, phase delaysand then phase advances were induced in a pattern closely similarto that reported for high temperature treatments (Wilkins, 1983).The results are discussed in relation to the tonoplast gatehypothesis which appears to account adequately for every featureof the phase shifts induced by exposing leaves to red light. Key words: Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, Circadian rhythm, CO² fixation, phase control, red light, malate transport     

Distribution of Assimilates from Various Source Leaves During the Development of Gladiolus grandiflorus

The distribution pattern of the products of photosynthesis wasstudied in gladiolus plants (Gladiolus grandiflorus cv Eurovision)in four stages of development I, plants having a very younginflorescence still enclosed between the leaves; II, plantswith a young inflorescence just emerged from the leaves, III,plants at full bloom, IV, plants with young fruits. The first,third or sixth foliage leaf was labelled with ¹⁴CO₂, and subsequentdistribution in the plant was determined Results were expressedas a percentage of translocated ¹⁴C accumulated by each partof the plant which gives a measure of its ‘sink strength’,or as ‘relative sink activity’ (RSA) which is independentof the size of the indicated organ. There are two competing sinks in the developing gladiolus—theinflorescence and the new corm. When RSA is the criterton theinflorescence constitutes the main sink irrespective of thesource leaf from the first stage until flowering. With the subsequentwilting of the flowers and fruit set RSA of the inflorescencedeclines rapidly and the new corm becomes the main sink When‘sink strength’ is the criterton it appears thatthe inflorescence acts as a very weak sink when it is youngand becomes increasingly stronger until flowering and then declinessteeply. Sink strength of the corm declines during the developmentof the inflorescence and then increases again steeply with wiltingof the flowers and fruit set. There are small differences betweenthe various source leaves. The young new corm acts as a strongsink for the lower foliage leaf and progressively weaker forupper leaves. Gladiolus grandiflorus, flower development, corm, assimilates distribution, sink strength, relative sink activity     

Electrical Currents at the Leaf Surface of Commelina communis and their Relationship to Stomatal Activity

A vibrating probe was used to detect and measure electricalcurrents at the surface of excised leaves and isolated leafepidermis from Commelina commnunis. Currents of up to 4.0 µAcm^–2 moving out from the leaf surface were observed whenthe stomata were open. When the stomata were almost closed nocurrent was detected and when they were fully closed a smallinwardly directed current was observed. There appeared to bea linear relationship between current and stomatal aperture.The current was stimulated by fusicoccin and eliminated by increasingthe external pH suggesting that it was brought about by a flowof H⁺ from the leaf surface. Key words: Electrical currents, leaves, stomata, vibrating probe     

Diurnal Phototropism in Leaves of Lavatera cretica L. under Conditions of Simulated Solar-Tracking

Diurnal laminar reorientation was followed in solar-trackingleaves of Lavatera cretica L. under simulated conditions. Asimulated ‘sun’ was moved over the lamina in a 180?arc in the vertical plane of the mid-vein, at an angular velocityof 15? h^–1 in a regime of 12-h photoperiods. In one groupof plants the petioles of the experimental leaves were arrangedto face ‘sunrise’, while in the other they werearranged to face ‘sunset’. At ‘sunrise’,the laminae in both groups, which were inclined towards theanticipated direction of ‘sunrise’, changed theirelevation towards the rising ‘sun’, resulting inprogressive reduction in the angle of incidence (AI) of lighton the laminar surface (AI= differential between laminar and‘solar’ elevation). As a result, laminar and ‘solar’elevation converged, and laminar reorientation gradually ceased,until the ‘solar’ elevation had passed the normalto the laminar surface (AI=0?). laminar reorientation was thenresumed, but its direction was reversed to follow the directionof ‘solar’ reorientation. During most of the remaining‘day’, laminar elevation (LE) trailed that of the‘sun’ by an average of 11?-14?. Laminar reorientationthen anticipated ‘sunset’ by starting to slow down60 to 90min in advance. During the 12-h dark period, the laminareoriented towards the anticipated direction of the subsequent‘sunrise’. The time-course of nocturnal reorientationwas qualitatively different in the two groups of experimentalplants. The time-course of diurnal phototropism under naturaland simulated conditions is analysed and compared and differencesand similarities between them are discussed. Key words: Diurnal phototropism, solar-tracking, vectorial excitation     

Guard Cell Metabolism in Epidermis of Commelina communis L. During Stomatal Opening and Closing

The rates of CO² incorporation into the epidermis of C. communiswere linear and were similar during the completion of opening(2 h) and closing (1 h) movements of stomata. The kinetics of¹⁴C turnover between metabolites and the rates of ‘leakage’of metabolites were determined for opening and closing movements.When stomata were opening there was a slow turnover of ¹⁴C frommalate chiefly into sugars. Upon stomatal closure ¹⁴C was initiallymainly in sugars, malate, and sugar phosphates. Thereafter,there was a slight loss of label from sugar phosphates witha corresponding increase in malate. Starch became labelled duringopening and closing movements. Rates of incorporation of CO₂found in the ‘leakage’ fraction were greatest whenstomata were opening. Of the labelled compounds Most‘from the tissue, malate was the most highly labelled whetherstomata were opening or closing. Although interpretation of the turnover patterns is difficultwithout knowledge of pool sizes for the metabolites it is suggestedthat a pool of sugars exists within the guard cells, which havefairly direct and reversible access to carbon from starch andmalate. The implications of loss of malate from guard cellsduring stomatal opening and closing are discussed.     

The Hydraulic Pathways in Nicotiana glauca (Grah.) and Tradescantia virginiana (L.) Leaves, and Water Potentials in Leaf Epidermes

The hydraulic conductances of leaves of a species which exhibitsstomatal responses to humidity (Nicotiana glauca) are significantlylower than the conductances in a species which does not exhibitsuch responses (Tradescantia virginiana). This difference couldat least partly account for their difference in stomatal responseto humidity. In both species, the hydraulic conductance betweenthe leaf bulk and its epidermis is much lower than the conductancein any other part of the pathway. The apparently conflictingresults, reported in recent literature, on the hydraulic conductancesand water pathways in leaves are reinterpreted, and shown tobe due to misinterpretation of results. The recently publishedcriticisms of a technique used to measure hydraulic conductivityare commented on and refuted. An examination of the factors that influence the water potentialat the sites of evaporation from the inner walls of the epidermisnear stomatal pores showed that the water potential at thesesites is lower than the bulk epidermal water potential. Thewater potential at these sites changes in a complex way as stomatalaperture changes. As it is reduced the ratio of: ‘waterpotential at sites of evaporation on the inner walls of theepidermis near stomatal pores/bulk leaf water potential‘increases. The positive feedback effect of this phenomenon,which tends to keep stomatal water potential constant as thestomata close and therefore enhances closure, and two other‘passive’ positive feedback effects on the waterpotential at sites of evaporation near stomata that have beenreported in the literature are briefly discussed. Nicotiana glauca (Grah.), Tradescantia virginiana (L.), sub-stomatal cavities, peristomatal evaporation, stomata, humidity response, leaf hydraulic conductance, water potential     

Suppression of Stomatal Opening in Leaves Treated with Abscisic Acid

Small doses of abscisic acid (approximately 0.02 µg cm^-2of leaf) applied to the leaf surface as a 10^-4 M solution causedmarked stomatal closure in Xanthium pennsylvanicum, and theeffect persisted for up to 9 days after application. Similareffects were found when 10^-4 M abscisic acid was supplied todetached tobacco leaves via their petioles. CO²-free air didnot cause a reversal of the closure, and it was therefore concludedthat the effect was not due simply to an increase in the intercellularCO²concentration; a more direct effect on the stomatal apparatusis suggested. It is considered that abscisic acid could playan endogenous role in the control of stomatal aperture, andthat this, and/or related substances, might be more useful as‘anti-transpirants’ than the phytotoxic substancescurrently employed for this purpose.     

Uptake of 32P by Young Plants of Banksia hookeriana Meissner When Healthy and Infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands

Young plants of Banksia hookeriana were grown in acid-washedsand with adequate phosphate and water supply, and a proportionwere inoculated with Phytophthora cinnamomi. There were no majordifferences in growth between uninoculated and infected plants,but there was a large increase in uptake of ³²P with increasingroot disease. In healthy plants ³²P uptake was greatest in youngleaf tissue, but in diseased plants labelled phosphate was directedmore towards older leaves where the activity was almost twicethat of young leaves. Enhanced uptake with disease was ascribed to possible blockageof the ‘message’ or ‘signal’ of phosphatetranslocation from shoot to root, such that the diseased rootincorrectly treated the shoot as P deficient and increased Puptake. Key words: Banksia hookeriana, Proteaceae, ³²P uptake, Phytophthora cinnamomi     

Stomata and Mesophyll Characteristics of Barley Leaf as Affected by Light: Stereological Analysis

The anatomical structure of the second leaf blade of barley{Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Koral) was studied in plants exposedto a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 200 µmolm^–2 s^–1 compared with those grown under 25µmolm^–2–11. Design-based stereological methods wereused for the estimation of various leaf anatomical characteristicssuch as mesophyll volume, proportion of intercellular spaces,number of mesophyll cells, mean mesophyll cell volume, and internalleaf surface area. The structure of the mesophyll was more affectedby different levels of PPFD than were the stomatal characteristics.Increased PPFD produced thicker leaves with a larger mesophyllvolume having a higher number of less elongated mesophyll cellsand a larger internal leaf surface area. Key words: Hordeum vulgare, light effect, mesophyll, stereology, stomata     

Changes in Stomatal Conductance in Intact Ageing Wheat Leaves in Response to Abscisic Acid

The characteristics of ABA-induced changes in the fluxes ofCO₂ and water vapour from whole leaves of spring wheat (Triticumaestivum cv. Wembley) were examined. Aqueous solutions of ABAwere supplied via the transpiration stream to intact leavesof different ages mounted within a gas exchange cuvette. ABA caused a reduction in stomatal conductance (g) that wasproportional to the concentration in the solution fed to theleaf. For the maintenance of a reduction in g there was a requirementfor a continual supply of ABA. At concentrations greater than10^–2 mol m^–3 ABA reduced g by at least 50% of thecontrol value, while 1.0 mol m^–3 closed stomata within2 h. Concentrations as low as 10^–3 mol m^–3 produceda 20% reduction in g. As leaves aged they became less responsiveto applied ABA. The possibility that the stomatal response may change aftera leaf has previously experienced a pulse of ABA was exploredby repeating the exposure of a leaf to 10^–2 mol m^–3ABA. The first pulse of ABA produced a greater reduction ing than a subsequent exposure the following day. This declinein response of g to ABA on repeated exposure was maintainedwith leaves of different ages. The characteristics of the stomatal response to ABA are discussedin the context of what is known about the location of receptorsfor the hormone. It seems likely that a failure to respond toABA that has previously accumulated in the guard cells shouldbe viewed by means of maximizing the sensitivity to the currentsupply of ABA. It is suggested that the smaller response ofthe stomata of older leaves to ABA makes them more susceptibleto water stress, so that they can act as sensors for decliningwater potentials to give early protection to younger, metabolicallyactive leaves. Key words: Abscisic acid, leaf age, stomatal conductance, Triticum aestivum     

The Effects of Cytokinins and ABA on Stomatal Behaviour of Maize and Commelina

Epidermal strips and leaf fragments of Commelina and leaf fragmentsof maize were incubated on solutions containing naturally-occurringor synthetic cytokinins and/or ABA. The effects of these treatmentson stomatal behaviour were assessed. Cytokinins alone did notpromote stomatal opening in either species but concentrationsof both zeatin and kinetin from 10^–3 to 10^–1 molm^–3 caused some reversal of ABA-stimulated closure ofmaize stomata. The reversal of the ABA effect increased withincreasing cytokinin concentration. Cytokinins had no effecton ABA-stimulated closure of Commelina stomata. When appliedalone, at high concentration (10^–1 mol m^–3), toCommelina epidermis or leaf pieces both zeatin and kinetin restrictedstomatal opening. Key words: ABA, Cytokinins, Stomata, Maize, Commelina