Scanning Electron Microscope Studies on Leaf Surface Ornamentation of Some Sorghum Cultivars in Relation to Transpiration

Scanning electron microscope studies were undertaken to determine if there were differences in leaf surface ornamentation in several important sorghum cultivars. The results obtained showed the presence of five different kinds of ornamentation among the genotypes studied. Adaxial and Abaxial leaf surfaces were similar in appearance. The leaf surface ornamentation observed may be classified into five types based on the special structure found at the end walls of eqidermal cells:.(1) band type, (2) flowery type, (3) lotus type, (4) open type and (5) closed type. Attempts to relate these structures to the rate of water loss by excised leaves were not successful.