Vegetative growth- leaves

Question 1

What are functions of leaves

Answer 1

1. photosynthesis: making food
2. Protection: non-foliage leaves such as brats, bud scales and sepals, which protect vegetative and floral buds
3. Storage: in seed leaves (cotyledons)
4. transpiration: important for moving water up plants

Question 2

epidermis (upper and lower)

Answer 2

protection; includes guard cells and stomata, and waxy cuticle layer to reduce water loss

Question 3

mesophyll (palisade and spongy)

Answer 3

contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis

Question 4

vascular bundle

Answer 4

xylem and phloem for conducting water and photosynthesis

Question 5

bundle sheath

Answer 5

ring of cells around vascular bundle; photosynthesis and storage of photosynthesis

Question 6

crop management practices related to leaves

Answer 6

1. Photosynthetic surface
   - need to max leaf area to max photosynthesis
2. forage management and harvesting
   - must leave enough leaf are to allow plant to photosynthesize and regrow
3. drought management
   - most water loss is through leaves
4. light interception
   - effectiveness of light interception is related to leaf angle and arrangement
5. plant density
   - proper plant spacing is essential for establishing ideal leaf area index (total leaf area per unit area)
6. Planting date
   - plant at optimum time to max time that plants can photosynthesize