Selection and Preparation of Leaf Epidermis for Experiments on Stomatal Physiology

Abstract

A simple method for reproducibly peeling leaf epidermis tissue is described. Epidermis was obtained from eight species using the method, and its properties of value in research on stomatal physiology evaluated. Effects of the method of peeling on cell viability and mesophyll contamination were quantified, and a comparison was made between the effects of peeling and subsequent treatments on a plant with morphologically distinct subsidiary cells, Commelina communis, and one without, Vicia faba. The results indicate that artefacts in experiments on stomatal physiology involving leaf epidermis could arise not only from the peeling method, but also the plant species chosen.