Microstructure and Ultrastructure in Plant Leaves of Cucumber as Influenced by Phosphorus

Abstract In order to find a new way to detect phosphorus nutrient level in single-leaf plants scale, micro structure and ultra-structure of plant leaves were both examined via means of white light interference system and transmission electron microscope(TEM) respectively; Experiments were carried out to find out the distinction of microstructure and ultrastructure in plant leaves among different phosphorus levels. The phosphorus (P) solutions were applied at 4 levels of 0.25, 1, 1.5 for the healthy and uniform growth of the seedlings. The results showed a significant decrease in the number of stomata in the 0.25(P), while the number of stomata increased in 1.5(P) plants (P<0.05). The shapes of stomata were also different in the samples. The 0.25P treatment resulted in decreases in the frequency of trichome, while the 1.5P treated plants was observed to have the most amount of trichome (P<0.05). The densest veins occurred on leaves of the 1.5(P) treated plants, then the density reduced sequentially in 1P, 0.25P plants (P<0.05). P treated plants are observed to undergo some ultra-structural variation, mainly involving in the structure of chloroplasts and number of mitochondria.