Plant Epicuticular Waxes: Function, Production, and Genetics
Plant Epicuticular Waxes: Function, Production, and Genetics
- Horticultural Reviews, 23, p.1-68, 1999 .
Essentially all aerial plant surfaces are covered by epicuticular waxes that form an important interface between a plant and its environment. These epicuticular waxes have diverse crystallization patterns, chemical compositions, and relative abundance that change with plant age, development, and environment. The physical and chemical properties of these surface waxes play an important role in plant resistance to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses, including those caused by fungal pathogens, phytophagous insects, drought, solar radiation, freezing temperatures, mechanical abrasion, and anthropogenic influences such as acid rain and ozone. In addition, epicuticular waxes also influence the uptake and efficiency of plant growth regulators, pesticides, and herbicides.
Essentially all aerial plant surfaces are covered by epicuticular waxes that form an important interface between a plant and its environment. These epicuticular waxes have diverse crystallization patterns, chemical compositions, and relative abundance that change with plant age, development, and environment. The physical and chemical properties of these surface waxes play an important role in plant resistance to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses, including those caused by fungal pathogens, phytophagous insects, drought, solar radiation, freezing temperatures, mechanical abrasion, and anthropogenic influences such as acid rain and ozone. In addition, epicuticular waxes also influence the uptake and efficiency of plant growth regulators, pesticides, and herbicides.