The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light
Leaves are essential for plants, enabling photosynthesis and transpiration. In arid regions, water availability limits plant growth. Some plants, like <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i>, a sandy sub-tree species widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions, have unique leaf structures to...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-07-01
|
| Series: | Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/7/1024 |
| _version_ | 1797590160123101184 |
|---|---|
| author | Zhanlin Bei Xin Zhang Xingjun Tian |
| author_facet | Zhanlin Bei Xin Zhang Xingjun Tian |
| author_sort | Zhanlin Bei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leaves are essential for plants, enabling photosynthesis and transpiration. In arid regions, water availability limits plant growth. Some plants, like <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i>, a sandy sub-tree species widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions, have unique leaf structures to reduce water loss and solar radiation. Here, we describe the leaves of <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> L., with special functioning trichomes. Through leaf submicroscopic structure observation, in situ water collection experiments, photosynthesis measurements, and reflection spectrum analysis, we investigated <i>E. angustifolia</i> leaves, focusing on their functioning trichomes. These trichomes capture water vapor, reflect UV and NIR light, and possess a 3D interface structure composed of 1D and 2D structures. The 1D conical structure captures water droplets, which are then gathered by the radial conical structure and guided towards the stomata through wedge-shaped grooves on the 2D umbrella structure. The trichomes also reflect sunlight, with micropapillae reflecting UV light and the umbrella structure reflecting NIR light. These mechanisms reduce leaf temperature, respiration, and water transpiration, protecting against solar radiation damage. This study provides insights into water collection and light-reflection mechanisms, revealing adaptive strategies of plants with large leaves in arid regions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:17:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4f38f17c2719464d9399385f4dd73109 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:17:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-4f38f17c2719464d9399385f4dd731092023-11-18T18:24:31ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372023-07-01127102410.3390/biology12071024The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect LightZhanlin Bei0Xin Zhang1Xingjun Tian2School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaSchool of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, ChinaLeaves are essential for plants, enabling photosynthesis and transpiration. In arid regions, water availability limits plant growth. Some plants, like <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i>, a sandy sub-tree species widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions, have unique leaf structures to reduce water loss and solar radiation. Here, we describe the leaves of <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> L., with special functioning trichomes. Through leaf submicroscopic structure observation, in situ water collection experiments, photosynthesis measurements, and reflection spectrum analysis, we investigated <i>E. angustifolia</i> leaves, focusing on their functioning trichomes. These trichomes capture water vapor, reflect UV and NIR light, and possess a 3D interface structure composed of 1D and 2D structures. The 1D conical structure captures water droplets, which are then gathered by the radial conical structure and guided towards the stomata through wedge-shaped grooves on the 2D umbrella structure. The trichomes also reflect sunlight, with micropapillae reflecting UV light and the umbrella structure reflecting NIR light. These mechanisms reduce leaf temperature, respiration, and water transpiration, protecting against solar radiation damage. This study provides insights into water collection and light-reflection mechanisms, revealing adaptive strategies of plants with large leaves in arid regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/7/1024<i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> leafumbrella-shaped ratchet trichomeswater collectionlight reflection |
| spellingShingle | Zhanlin Bei Xin Zhang Xingjun Tian The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light Biology <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> leaf umbrella-shaped ratchet trichomes water collection light reflection |
| title | The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light |
| title_full | The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light |
| title_fullStr | The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light |
| title_short | The Mechanism by Which Umbrella-Shaped Ratchet Trichomes on the <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> Leaf Surface Collect Water and Reflect Light |
| title_sort | mechanism by which umbrella shaped ratchet trichomes on the i elaeagnus angustifolia i leaf surface collect water and reflect light |
| topic | <i>Elaeagnus angustifolia</i> leaf umbrella-shaped ratchet trichomes water collection light reflection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/7/1024 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zhanlinbei themechanismbywhichumbrellashapedratchettrichomesontheielaeagnusangustifoliaileafsurfacecollectwaterandreflectlight AT xinzhang themechanismbywhichumbrellashapedratchettrichomesontheielaeagnusangustifoliaileafsurfacecollectwaterandreflectlight AT xingjuntian themechanismbywhichumbrellashapedratchettrichomesontheielaeagnusangustifoliaileafsurfacecollectwaterandreflectlight AT zhanlinbei mechanismbywhichumbrellashapedratchettrichomesontheielaeagnusangustifoliaileafsurfacecollectwaterandreflectlight AT xinzhang mechanismbywhichumbrellashapedratchettrichomesontheielaeagnusangustifoliaileafsurfacecollectwaterandreflectlight AT xingjuntian mechanismbywhichumbrellashapedratchettrichomesontheielaeagnusangustifoliaileafsurfacecollectwaterandreflectlight |