Taxonomic Implications with Special Reference to Stomatal Variations in Solanum Species Using Light and Scanning Electron Microscope.

ABSTRACT

The systematic analysis between 15 different species and one species with two accessions in Solanum has been carried out and need all over revisions and investigations. In continuation to our previous morphometric analysis, currently stomatal variation is analyzed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition to classical anomocytic and anisocytic stomatal types, new types of stomata (anisotricytic, paratetracytic, diacytic and paracytic) are noticed for the first time in the genus Solanum. The scanning electron microscopic study reveals the nature of stomatal pore, nature of peristomatal rims as well as the presence of epicuticular wax deposits and wax flakes which are of taxonomic significance. This study also indicates that foliar stomatal characteristics are valuable taxonomic traits, which can be utilized to address the taxonomic issues within the genus.