Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Stomatal Research with Automated Aperture Measurement
Published on: February 9, 2024
Sensitivity of Commelina stomata to abscisic acid
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 4HN, Dundee.
Abstract:
Stomata of Commelina leaves pre-opened by incubation in moist air were found to close within 30 min when supplied with abscisic acid (ABA) via the transpiration stream. Radioactive ABA had similar effects, but allowed the distribution of the compound within the leaf to be measured and correlated with stomatal movements to give estimates of the sensitivity of Commelina stomata. On a whole-leaf basis, less than 163 fmol ABA per mm(2) leaf area were present at the time of complete stomatal closure. This was close to other published estimates. By taking epidermal (14)C measurements, however, it was possible to increase the accuracy of the estimate on the assumption that only ABA present in the epidermis was physiologically active. Thus, less than 235 amol ABA for stomatal complex were present at complete closure, and statistically significant narrowing of the stomatal aperture had occurred when between 12.6 and 45.4 amol per complex were present. The distribution of ABA within the epidermal tissue after transpiration-stream application was studied using microautoradiography, and the compound appeared to have accumulated within the stomatal complex.
More Related Videos
08:52A Seed Coat Bedding Assay to Genetically Explore In Vitro How the Endosperm Controls Seed Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana
Published on: November 9, 2013
07:08Identification of Novel Regulators of Plant Transpiration by Large-Scale Thermal Imaging Screening in Helianthus Annuus
Published on: January 30, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Responses to Salt Stress
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...