The role and importance of adaxial stomata in plant-environment interactions

Stomatal pores in leaves mediate gas-exchange between the plant and the environment, and pathogen entry into plants. Stomatal numbers and apertures affect plant stress and disease resistance. Most plant have stomata only in the lower (abaxial) leaf surface and current knowledge on the mechanisms of stomatal development and function is based on studies of abaxial stomata. Why most plants have no stomata on the upper (adaxial) leaf surface is not clear, but one possible explanation is increased disease susceptibility due to better pathogen entry. The aim of the project is to understand, how the presence and proportion of adaxial stomata affect plant-environment interactions. We will test, how environment, hormones and pathogens affect adaxial stomatal development and how plants with different adaxial stomatal numbers cope under stress conditions. The results will help to understand the importance of adaxial stomata in plant-environment interactions and to breed climate-ready crops.