Stomatal size and density trade-off varies with leaf phenology and species shade tolerance in a South Asian moist tropical forest

Abstract

The density and guard cell length of stomata regulate the physiological processes in plants. Yet, the variation of stomatal characteristics among different functional groups of trees is not been well understood. Particularly, a comprehensive understanding of stomatal behaviour in Bangladeshi moist forest trees is lacking. The study investigated how abaxial stomatal density (SD) and guard cell length (GCL) vary among tree functional types and leaf phenological groups in a moist tropical forest of Bangladesh. Cluster dendrogram revealed three groups of species based on SD and GCL. The independent sample t-test showed that there was a significant difference in SD between evergreen and deciduous tree species (t = 4.18, P < 0.001) but no significant difference in GCL between the two phenological groups. ANOVA revealed no significant difference in SD among the light demanding, intermediate shade tolerant and shade tolerant species (F = 0.76, P = 0.47). However, GCL significantly differed among the three functional groups (F = 3.3, P < 0.05). Maximum theoretical stomatal conductance (gmax) varied between evergreen and deciduous species but did not vary with species shade tolerance. In general, there was a significant trade-off between SD and GCL. However, the inverse relationship was stronger in deciduous and shade tolerant species than in evergreen and shade intolerant species. Leaf dry matter content was positively related with SD and negatively related with GCL. Specific leaf area and leaf thickness were not related to the stomatal traits. Our analyses suggest that leaf phenology and species shade tolerance need to be considered while estimating gas exchange through the stomata in tropical moist forests.

Long Exposure to Salt Stress in Jatropha curcas Leads to Stronger Damage to the Chloroplast Ultrastructure and Its Functionality Than the Stomatal Function

“…In this study, we characterized the leaf epidermis, both on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. A lower stomata size and consequently a higher density (r = −0.704) were described in this study as well as in other studies for J curcas [14,15,46], Eucalyptus globulus [80], Gossypium hirsutum [76], and other species [35,81]. Lei et al [76] stated that water stress alters the stomatal density on abaxial surfaces but not on an adaxial surface.…”

Long Exposure to Salt Stress Leads to Stronger Damage in Chloroplast Ultrastructure and its Functionality than the Stomatal Function in<em> Jatropha curcas</em>

“…In this study, we characterized the leaf epidermis, both on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Lower stomata size and consequently, a higher density (r = -0.704), were described in this study as well as described in other studies, for J curcas [1,2,27], Eucalyptus globulus [69], Gossypium hirsutum [28], and other species [23,70]. Lesser stomata size and higher density were recorded as significant anatomical adaptation characteristics under drought and salinity stress to reduce transpiration [71].…”

Linking stomatal size and density to water use efficiency and leaf carbon isotope ratio in juvenile and mature trees

“…We observed a very high variability of GCL and SD between the species as well. The species level GCL correlated negatively with SD, consistent with the assumed trade-off between the size and frequency to optimize the overall conductive surface to water vapour and CO 2 that was described in numerous other studies (Doheny-Adams et al 2012;Boer et al 2016;Rahman et al 2022). The differences between the species we report here represent the carbon-water balance under well-watered conditions and should be without the impact of reduced stomatal conductance.…”