Comparison of Hydathode Structure in Micropropagated Plantlets and Greenhouse-grown ‘Queen Elizabeth’ Rose Plants

Foliar anatomical comparisons were made between in vitro-grown plantlets and greenhouse-grown plants of ‘Queen Elizabeth’ rose ( Rosa sp.) using scanning and light microscopy. Each acuminate leaf apex and marginal serration had a terminal hydathode region composed of a glandular tip and a subterminal, adaxial group of sunken water pores. Leaf apices of greenhouse-grown plants had up to 35 water pores per hydathode, while cultured plantlets had < 20. Hydathodes of leaf serrations had up to 10 water pores in both sample groups. Water pores and stomata of plantlet leaves were open, while those of greenhouse-grown plants had smaller apertures or were completely closed. Internally, hydathodes were delimited by a bundle sheath extending below the vascular tissues and approaching the adaxial epidermis on each side of the water pore zone. Files of tracheary elements extended various distances into the leaf teeth. Small, irregularly shaped parenchyma cells (epithem) abutted on the xylem parenchyma cells, filling the space between the files of tracheary elements and the adaxial epidermis. The hydathodes of plantlet leaves were smaller with fewer water pores and reduced epithem than those of greenhouse-grown plants. Ex vitro guttation probably occurs as a result of increased water potential and high relative humidity when plantlets are transferred from culture to soil.