Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (1): 114-123.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.01.11

• Plant Ecology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research progress on the mechanism of formation, absorption and utilization of condensed water on leaf trichomes of desert plants

Alayi HANATI(),LIU Yanxia,LAN Haiyan()   

  1. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2023-06-11 Revised:2023-10-07 Online:2024-01-15 Published:2024-01-24

Abstract:

Desert plants have developed highly evolved water preservation and transportation systems for collecting and storing water through air under chronic water scarcity, the accessory structures such as trichomes on the leaf surface have important biological significance in collection, storage and transportation of the condensed water. Based on the current research progress, this review briefly summarizes the biological and ecological effects of condensate on desert plants, and expounds the theories related to leaf surface wettability and water collection capacity. Based on this, the important role of special structure of desert plants’ leaf surface (trichome) in the formation, transport and absorption of condensate is mainly discussed. The research methods of surface retention and absorption of condensate water were summarized, which may provide guidance for further study on trichome function and is helpful to understand the mechanism of condensate collection by desert plants driven by its structural characteristics in arid areas of China.

Key words: desert plant, condensed water, leaf surface wettability, trichome, ecological effect