Effect of soil water deficit on the epidermal characters of some forage grasses

The main objective of the present work was to determine the epidermal characters of some forage grasses and their plasticity under conditions of soil water deficit. Bromus parodii, Festuca arundinacea and Dactylis glomerata plants were grown in semicontrolled conditions under two soil moisture regimes: irrigated and non-irrigated. Measurements of soil water content, relative water content of the plants and foliar water potential were used to define the soil and plant water status. Epidermal characterization was accomplished by carrying out a survey of the frequency and size of stomata and the presence, type and frequency of epidermal hairs as determined by optical microscopy, and by studying the morphology of epicuticular wax using scanning electron microscopy.