Influence of polishing and abrasion on the diffusive conductance of leaf surface of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. |
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Authors: | C. E. R. PITCAIRN C. E. JEFFREE J. GRACE |
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Affiliation: | Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, U.K.;Department of Botany, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, U.K. |
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Abstract: | Abstract Leaf surfaces of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. were subjected to controlled polishing and abrasion on a test-bed designed to simulate components of abrasive wind damage. Both treatments substantially increased the leaf surface conductance, particularly the polishing treatment. Scanning electron micrographs of cryo-fixed leaf surfaces showed displacement and smoothing of the epicuticular waxes, damage to the cuticle, collapse of epidermal cells and fracture of trichomes. The importance of the epicuticular waxes in determining leaf diffusivity and permeability is discussed. |
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Keywords: | Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Gramineae leaf surface damage diffusive conductance cuticle epicuticular wax scanning electron microscopy wind cryo-fixation |
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