STOMATAL DENSITY OF THE IRRIGATIONED PEACH AND NECTARINE AND THE PEACH TREE TEMPORARY

Abstract

Leaf stomatal density measurement is an important parameter to adequately analyze plant-water relationships. The purpose of this study was to determine the leaf stomatal density in 14 peach cultivars and 10 nectarine cultivars growing under irrigated conditions, and 118 peach selections under rainfed conditions. The method used imprints and microscope counts. Stomata were found only on the abaxial surface of leaves, varying in density from 131 to 163/mm2 , thus suggesting the possibil ity for selecting genotypes with lower or higher stomatal density. No correlation was observad between leaf size and stomatal density.