Photosynthetica 2016, 54(4):567-571 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0238-2

Image analysis of the leaf vascular network: physiological considerations

M. Pagano1,*, P. Corona2, P. Storchi1
1 CREA - Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Unit for Viticulture, Arezzo, Italy
2 CREA - Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Forestry Research Centre, Arezzo, Italy

The study of leaf vascular systems is important in order to understand the fluid dynamics of water movement in leaves. Recent studies have shown how these systems can be involved in the performance of photosynthesis, which is linked to the density of the vascular network per unit of leaf area. The aim of the present study was to highlight the correlation between a leaf vein density (VD) and net photosynthetic rate (P N), which was undertaken using a digital camera, a stereoscopic microscope, and a light source. The proposed hypothesis was tested, for the first time, on the leaves of two cultivars of Vitis vinifera (L.). A significant difference was found between the VD of mature leaves of the two cultivars. VD was also significantly correlated with the maximum leaf P N. These findings support the hypothesis that the vascular system of grape leaves can be correlated with leaf photosynthesis performance.

Additional key words: gas exchange; leaf; net photosynthetic rate; vascular network; vein density

Received: August 31, 2015; Accepted: April 29, 2016; Published: December 1, 2016  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Pagano, M., Corona, P., & Storchi, P. (2016). Image analysis of the leaf vascular network: physiological considerations. Photosynthetica, 54(4), 567-571. doi: 10.1007/s11099-016-0238-2
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Brodribb T.J., Field T.S., Jordan G.J.: Leaf maximum photosynthetic rate and venation are linked by hydraulics.-Plant Physiol. 144: 1890-1898, 2007. Go to original source...
    2. Brodribb T.J.: Xylem hydraulic physiology: The functional backbone of terrestrial plant productivity.-Plant Sci. 177: 245-251, 2009. Go to original source...
    3. Crafts-Brandner S.J., Salvucci M.E.: Rubisco activase constrains the photosynthetic potential of leaves at high temperature and CO2.-P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97: 13430-13435, 2000. Go to original source...
    4. Fiorin L., Brodribb T. J., Anfodillo T.: Transport efficiency through uniformity: organization of veins and stomata in angiosperm leaves.-New Phytol. 209: 216-227, 2016. Go to original source...
    5. Kriedemann P.E., Kliewer W.M., Harris J.M.: Leaf age and photosynthesis in Vitis vinifera L.-Vitis. 9: 97-104, 1970.
    6. Nikolopoulos D., Liakopoulos G., Drossopoulos I., Karabourniotis G.: The relationship between anatomy and photosynthetic performance of heterobaric leaves.-Plant Physiol. 129: 235-243, 2002. Go to original source...
    7. Parsons-Wingerter P., Vickerman M.B.: Informative mapping by VESGEN analysis of venation branching pattern in plant leaves such as Arabidopsis thaliana.-Gravit. Space Biol. 25: 69-71, 2011.
    8. Roth-Nebelsick A., Uhl D., Mosbrugger V. et al.: Evolution and function of leaf venation architecture: a review.-Ann. Bot.- London 87: 553-566, 2001. Go to original source...
    9. Sack L., Holbrook N.M.: Leaf hydraulics.-Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 57: 361-381, 2006. Go to original source...
    10. Sack L., Scoffoni C., McKown A.D. et al.: Developmentally based scaling of leaf venation architecture explains global ecological patterns.-Nat. Commun. 837: 1-10, 2012. Go to original source...
    11. Sack L., Scoffoni C.: Leaf venation: structure, function, development, evolution, ecology and applications in the past, present and future.-New Phytol. 198: 983-1000, 2013. Go to original source...
    12. Zack G.W., Rogers W.E., Latt S.A.: Automatic measurement of sister chromatid exchange frequency.-J. Histochem. Cytochem. 25: 741-753, 1977. Go to original source...
    13. Zwieniecki M.A., Brodribb T.J., Holbrook N.M.: Hydraulic design of leaves: insights from rehydration kinetics.-Plant Cell Environ. 30: 910-921, 2007. Go to original source...

    Return to the content