Differential Occurrence of Cuticular Wax and Its Role in Leaf Physiological Mechanisms of Three Edible Aroids of Northeast India

Abstract

The localization of cuticular wax (CW) on the leaf epidermis and its interaction with the physiological mechanisms of three edible aroids, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma, were assessed. CW in the leaf tissues was visualized using scanning electron microscopy, which was higher in Colocasia (10.61 mg·dm−2) and Xanthosoma (11.36 mg·dm−2) than in Alocasia (1.36 mg·dm−2). Colocasia CW exhibited superhydrophobic properties with a higher static contact angle (CA) (>150◦) than Xanthosoma (99.0◦) and Alocasia (128.7◦). The higher CW in Colocasia and Xanthosoma resulted in better leaf chlorophyll stability, moisture retention ability, and cellular membrane integrity compared to Alocasia. CW acted as a protecting barrier against deleterious solar radiation in terms of sun protection factor (SPF). The glossy appearance of wax crystals in the Alocasia leaf cuticles resulted in higher SPF. Overall, Colocasia CW highly influenced the qualitative and protective mechanisms of the leaf. Our study sheds light on the pivotal role of CW in the physiological properties of aroid leaves, which would be useful for the selection of wax-rich plants for augmenting future breeding strategies. The information would also be useful for further exploration of the industrial potential of superhydrophobic wax crystals obtained from edible aroids.Fil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentina. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Dasgupta, Madhumita. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Devi, Mayengbam Premi. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Devi, Yumnam Indrani. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Mohanty, Sansuta. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Singh, Satyapriya. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Sahoo, Bibhuti Bhusan. Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology; IndiaFil: Nongdam, Potshangbam. Manipur University; IndiaFil: Acharya, Gobinda Chandra. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Sahoo, Manas Ranjan. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; India. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; Indi