The water permeabilities of 3174 astomatous, isolated cuticular membranes from Citrus aurantium L. leaves were studied. Trees were grown in environmental chambers at temperatures ranging from 15 to 35° C and humidities of 50% and 90%. Photosynthetically active radiation was 500-1000 μmol photons·m(-2)· s(-1). The different growing conditions had no effect on the water permeability of the membranes. However, storing isolated cuticular membranes at 8° C for up to 112 weeks decreased their water permeability, and it is argued that this is a consequence of the healing of defects between wax crystallites, and also indicates the dynamic nature of cuticular waxes.

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