Modifications on leaf anatomy of Coffea arabica caused by shade of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Abstract

Modifications on leaf anatomy in Coffea arabica shaded with pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), compared to cultivation under full sun, were assessed. The leaves fully exposed to sunlight presented thicker cuticles and cellular walls, narrower epidermis cells, palisade parenchyma with longer cells, thicker lacunar parenchyma, fewer intercellular spaces and a larger stomata number. Leaves under dense shade presented a narrower cuticle and cellular wall; a mesophyll with smaller volume, but with larger intercellular spaces; and epidermis with thicker cells and a smaller stomata amount, surrounded by subsidiary cells of smaller dimensions. Plants grown under full sunlight presented higher values of net photosynthesis. The results evidenced that the species C. arabica has a wide range of phenotypic adaptation to changes in the radiation intensity.