Comparative effects of drought stress on leaf anatomy of two olive cultivars

The leaf anatomical features of two olive cultivars ('Mastoidis' and 'Koroneiki') were comparatively studied in irrigated and drought stressed plants. Drought stress in both cultivars resulted in a decrease of the size of the epidermal and mesophyll cells with a parallel increase of the cell density. These changes were more characteristic in cv. 'Mastoidis'. Stomata became more numerous and smaller, while non-glandular hairs (scales) greatly increased in number, particularly in cv. 'Koroneiki'. The implication of the drought stress-induced leaf anatomical alterations in physiological processes, like transpiration and photosynthesis, is discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.