THE MODIFIED STOMATA OF THE FLORAL NECTARY OF VICIA-FABA L. .3. PHYSIOLOGICAL-ASPECTS, INCLUDING COMPARISONS WITH FOLIAR STOMATA

A comparison of developmental features and physiological responses between the modified stomata (MS) of the floral nectary and the stomata of leaves of Vicia faba L. has revealed several significant differences. In mature tissues, the frequency per unit area of MS is three times that of foliar stomata, and when only the distal quarter of nectary projections is considered, it is twelve fold higher. The walls of guard cells (GCs) of MS near the pore were four to five times thinner than those of their foliar counterparts. Average pore widths of the nectary MS remained constant throughout the day and night, contrary to those of leaves; maximal foliar apertures were similar to average pore widths of MS of nectaries. Experiments with plasmolytica demonstrated a higher osmotic potential in nectary MS, and that sister GCs of the nectary only occasionally closed their pores by movements, even when they were plasmolysed, whereas GCs of leaves were found to be plasmolysed only after their pores had shut. Abscisic acid (ABA) was always detected naturally in floral nectar. The results of experiments involving K+-localization and the secretion of large quantities of ABA in nectar suggested that GCs of the MS lack operational systems involving K+-influx and ABA-receptor sites. All information gained is consistent with the earlier conclusion that the MS do not have a regulatory role in nectar secretion by flowers of V. faba.