RELACIÓN ENTRE ASPECTOS ANATÓMICOS DEL PECÍOLO DE CROTALARIA JUNCEA L. (FABACEAE) Y EL MOVIMIENTO NÁSTICO FOLIAR

Abstract

Structural characteristics of the petiole of
Crotalaria juncea L. were studied in order
to describe anatomical features related to the
phenomenon of nyctinastic movement in the
absence of a pulvinus. We examined fully
expanded, completely erect leaves from 35-
and 46-day-old plants. Free-hand sections
were made at the proximal and distal ends
of petioles, stained with toluidine blue and
observed with light microscopy. Differences
in cellular contour, cell disposition and volume were observed mainly in the cortical
region of the distal end in open and closed
leaves. Changes in volume of cells in this
region should indicate that for the species
studied foliar nyctinastic movement occurs
in response to changes in cell turgor during
the day-night sequence.