Abstract:

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was grown in five planting densities (1, 10, 100, 1 000 and 10 000 individuals·m-2) and in two soil moisture levels (80% and 40% soil water capacity ). Stomata were counted and measured. The planting densities affected stomatal densities and distributions. Stomatal densities increased as the planting densities changed from 1 to 1 000 individuals·m-2, and decreased significantly at higher planting densities (10 000 individuals· m-2). The maximum stomatal density was found n the leaf base, while the minimum in the leaf apex. Stomatal distribution became more symmetrical with the increase of planting densities. Similar but more pronounced changes in stomatal densities and distributions were found in the drought stressed plants. Therefore, it is concluded that the changes in stomatal densities and distributions were the result of different water conditions induced by the planting densities.

Key words: Triticum aestivum L., Drought, Planting densities, Stomatal densities, Stomatal distributions