[Electron-microscopical investigation on wax-covered stomatas]

Abstract

The wax structure of plant leaves has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy and with the replica technique by transmission electron microscopy. In addition to replicas of the wax layer, replicas of the leaf surface after removal of the wax have been examined.The wax layer is very thick and felt-like, especially when the plants have been grown at low humidity. In this case the stomatas are also smaller than those of plants grown at high humidity.The amount of transpiration of leaves was correlated to the different formation of the wax layer. Thick and felt-like structure of the wax above the stomatas reduces the water loss considerably. On the other hand all water evaporates from leaves in a short time after removal of the wax.