How do you measure the difference between the number of stomata in leaves in the sun and the shade?

Question

Hi everyone!

I've got a report to submit on stomatal density and I need to establish a method coupled with a list of variables and a risk assessment. I've sorted out a couple of things but really need some help to make sure I've got everything sorted. Any suggestions and hints will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

Methods for Obtaining Stomata Impressions. http://tiee.ecoed.net/vol/v1/experiments... -

1. Obtain the leaf upon which you wish to census stomata.

2. On the side you wish to census stomata (typically the leaf underside) paint a rather thick swath of clear nail polish.

3. After the nail polish has dried (several minutes), obtain a square of VERY CLEAR tape (such as package sealing tape, but do NOT use scotch tape). Stick your tape piece to the area that contains the dried nail polish swath.

4. GENTLY, peel your nail polish swath from the leaf completely. You will see a cloudy impression of the leaf surface now attached to your tape piece (hereafter referred to as your "leaf impression").

5. Tape your leaf impression to a VERY CLEAN slide and use scissors to cut off the excess tape.

6. Use a pen and write some sort of ID code signifying the treatment group name (e.g. leaf from sun) and other info (e.g. leaf #3) directly on the slide.

7. Focus your leaf impression under at least 400x power and observe the stomata..

8. Search around on your impression to find an area that subjectively appears to have a high density of stomata. That is, move the slide around until the field of view is away from the edge of the impression and so that there are no dirt blobs, no thumbprints, no damaged areas, and no big leaf vein impressions in view.