Assessing the variability degree of sclerophylity in pear tree leaf blades

Abstract

The functional state of the plant is estimated by the degree of sclerophylity of leaf blades in various genotypes of pear-trees. It is revealed that the influence of stressed weather conditions causes the appearance of xeromorphic signs: enforced development of palisade parenchyma layer, reduced number of stomas per unit of the surface. The pear genotypes with great coefficient of potential transpiration surface possess more xeromorphic structure of the leaf with expanded opportunity of regulating the evaporation of moisture. The level of sclerophylity reflects the expenses of plants for constructing and functioning of square centimeter of the leaf blade, by which is possible to determine the degree of plants adaptation to growing conditions.