Anatomy and Morphology of Glandular and Non-glandular trichomes of Pteronia incana in relation to their essential oil production

Abstract

The morphology and anatomy of the non-glandular. and glandular trichomes present on both abaxial and adaxial surfacea as well as on the stem surface of Pteronia incana were examined using light, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The non-glandular trichomes were thread-like structures with elongated fibrous ends having a tubular basal cells. They occurred in greater abundance in both young and mature leaves and in stems. The fibrous ends of non-glandular trichomes seemed to be shielding the epidermal layer, the glandular trichome and the stoma. The electron micrograph of non-glandular trichomes showed that both trichomes originated from a single epidermal cell by anticlinal division. As the trichome matured, the cells at the end of the trichome became dehydrated and formed a thread-like fibre. Structurally, these fibrous ends were similar in composition to the components of the suberized cell walls