The cell lineage theory, which explains stomatal patterning in monocot leaves as a consequence of orderly divisions, was studied in Tradescantia. Data were collected to test the theory at three levels of organization: the individual stoma; stomata distributed in one dimension, in linear fashion along cell files; and stomata apportioned in two dimensions, across the length and breadth of the lea...

Cuticular properties affect the gas exchange of leaves, but little is known about how much CO2 and water vapor cross the cuticular barrier or whether low water potentials affect the process. Therefore, we measured the cuticular conductances for CO2 and water vapor in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) leaves having various water potentials. The lower leaf surface was sealed to force all gas exchange thr...

Stomatal responses to closing stimuli are disturbed after long-term exposure of plants to low vapour pressure deficit (VPD). The mechanism behind this disturbance is not fully understood. Genetic variation between naturally occurring ecotypes can be helpful to elucidate the mechanism controlling stomatal movements in different environments. We characterized the stomatal responses of 41 natural ...

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a major physiological syndrome that has evolved independently in numerous land plant lineages. CAM plants are of great ecological significance, and there is increasing interest for their water-use efficiency and drought resistance. Integral to the improvement in water-use efficiency that CAM affords is a unique pattern of stomatal conductance, distinguished...

Developmental mechanisms that enable perception of and response to the environment may enhance fitness. Ecophysiological traits typically vary depending on local conditions and contribute to resource acquisition and allocation, yet correlations may limit adaptive trait expression. Notably, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance vary diurnally, and the circadian clock, which is an internal esti...

Stomatal pores are microscopic structures on the epidermis of leaves formed by 2 specialized guard cells that control the exchange of water vapor and CO(2) between plants and the atmosphere. Stomatal size (S) and density (D) determine maximum leaf diffusive (stomatal) conductance of CO(2) (g(c(max))) to sites of assimilation. Although large variations in D observed in the fossil record have bee...

Given that stomatal movement is ultimately a mechanical process and that stomata are morphologically and mechanically diverse, we explored the influence of stomatal mechanical diversity on leaf gas exchange and considered some of the constraints. Mechanical measurements were conducted on the guard cells of four different species exhibiting different stomatal morphologies, including three varian...