The Influencing Factors of Dew Absorbeby Leaves

Abstract

Dew commonly condenses on plant leaf and can be directly taken up by leaves. The factors affecting dew absorption on leaves are complex. Indoor pot experiments on Zygocactus truncatus, Chlorophytum comosum, and Juniperus formosana were conducted under different air temperatures and wind speeds by using the deuterium (D) stable isotope tracer method. The proportion of dew uptake by leaf (Fu ) of different plants was revealed, and the influence of different meteorological conditions and leaf microstructure on dew absorption was identified. Results showed that much of the dew returns to the atmosphere during evaporation, and only 6%–35% can be absorbed by the plant leaves. The capacity of dew uptake by leaves showed considerable differences between thress plants, and the amount of dew absorbed by Zygocactus truncatus leaves (25.96%±2.69% – 34.81%±4.61%) was significantly higher than that by Chlorophytum comosum (20.50%±1.89% – 23.39%±4.35%) (P = 2.19E-10) and Juniperus formosana (6.26%±0.69% – 11.95%±1.35%) (P = 1.06E-30). Fu varied according to different plants with the increase in air temperature and decreased gradually with the increase in wind speed. Leaves of compound or sickle-leaved plants with dense stomatal and tomentum are more able to absorb dew than those of coniferous plants with high wax content. In relation to external meteorological factors, the amount of absorbed dew depends on the plant type and leaf microscopic structure. This study is helpful in comprehensively evaluating the effect of dew evaporation on ecological environment and has importance for the application of dew resources.