Opportunistic survival strategy of Welwitschia mirabilis: Recent anatomical and ecophysiological studies elucidating stomatal behaviour and photosynthetic potential

Abstract

We present new findings on leaf and stomatal apparatus anatomy and ecophysiology of Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f. that are relevant to survival in the desert. We show that the structure of the stomatal apparatus with thin areas in the guard cell walls is a key feature enabling an opportunistic survival strategy through reversible quick switch-over from water conservation to CO2 assimilation. Desert environment and greenhouse data demonstrated that stomatal conductance increased almost immediately after dawn to reach a maximum within approximately an hour, whereupon a steep decrease occurred. After discontinuation of induced drought in potted plants, fast recovery of stomatal conductance occurred while copious new root hairs developed within 50 h. Stomatal limitation proved to be the main photosynthetic constraint under induced drought. Under severe drought stress, biochemical limitation came into play. Chlorophyll fluorescence data of in-situ plants showed that the photosynthetic potential of leaf tissue is highest near the basal meristem, but although it decreases with age, it retains activity up to the leaf apex at the end of the green part. The photosynthetic potential of potted plants was optimal at 20 °C, analogous to mesophytic plants. Our data confirms our hypothesis that leaf surface and stomatal structure play a crucial role in moisture conservation and moderating leaf temperature for desert survival.