Ploidy influences wheat mesophyll cell geometry, packing and leaf function

Leaf function is influenced by leaf structure, which is itself related not only to the spatial arrangement of constituent mesophyll cells, but also their size and shape. In this study, we used confocal microscopy to image leaves of Triticum genotypes varying in ploidy level to extract 3D information on individual mesophyll cell size and geometry. Combined with X-ray Computed Tomography and gas exchange analysis, the effect of changes in wheat mesophyll cell geometry upon leaf structure and function were investigated. Mesophyll cell size and shape were found to have changed during the course of wheat evolution. An unexpected linear relationship between mesophyll cell surface area and volume was discovered, suggesting anisotropic scaling of mesophyll cell geometry with increasing ploidy. Altered mesophyll cell size and shape were demonstrated to be associated with changes in mesophyll tissue architecture. Under experimental growth conditions, CO₂ assimilation did not vary with ploidy, but stomatal conductance was lower in hexaploid plants, conferring a greater instantaneous water-use efficiency. We propose that as wheat mesophyll cells have become larger with increased ploidy, this has been accompanied by changes in cell geometry and packing which limit water loss while maintaining carbon assimilation.