Responses of three different ecotypes of reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) to their natural habitats: Leaf surface micro-morphology, anatomy, chloroplast ultrastructure and physio-chemical characteristics

The adaptational characteristics due to long-term adaptation in the natural habitats of common reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) contrasted considerably among three different ecotypes: dune reed (DR), Gobi salt reed (GSR) and swamp reed (SR). The micromorphologies of leaf adaxial surfaces showed tapered setae and a non-smooth surface in DR, compound papillose structures with wax and hairs in GSR, but only papillose structures for the smooth surface of SR. Anatomical analysis showed that DR and GSR had higher bundle-sheath cell areas and a lower xylem/phloem ratio than SR. There were many sclerenchyma cells in vascular bundle of DR and GSR and crystal idioblasts in all ecotypes. Chloroplasts had ellipsoid shape in SR, but they were attached to the cell wall with oblong shape and contained many starch grains in DR and GSR. Higher concentrations of NO, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation, higher ratio of carotenoids/chlorophyll and higher activities in T-AOC and SOD were found in DR and GSR. Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activities were greatest in GSR. All these data suggested that the greater relative stress tolerance of DR and GSR was due to a combination of morpho-anatomical adaptational characteristics and physio-chemical responses, and indicated the different mechanisms in their respective natural habitats.

► Foliar characteristics of three reed ecotypes adapting to different natural habitats.
► Compound papillose/setal structure with wax and hairs on leaf surface in DR and GSR.
► Many sclerenchymatic cells and calcium oxalate crystals in leaf bundle sheath.
► Chloroplast morphology and structure have changed in stressed reed.
► Physio-chemical index showed a high resistance to environmental factors.