Rice Stomatal Mega-Papillae Restrict Water Loss and Pathogen Entry

Rice ( Oryza sativa ) is a water-intensive crop, and like other plants uses stomata to balance CO 2 uptake with water-loss. To identify agronomic traits related rice stomatal complexes, an anatomical screen of 64 Thai 100 global cultivars was undertaken. Epidermal outgrowths called papillae were identified on the subsidiary cells all cultivars. These also detected eight species genus but not any plant we surveyed. Our two that had “mega-papillae” so large or abundant their pores partially occluded; Kalubala Vee extra-large papillae, Dharia approximately twice normal number papillae. most accentuated flag leaves, mega-papillae detectable earlier forming leaves. Energy dispersive X-Ray spectrometry revealed silicon major component We studied potential function(s) by assessing gas exchange pathogen infection rates. Under saturating light conditions, bearing reduced conductance slower close re-open, photosynthetic assimilation significantly affected. Assessment F 3 hybrid population treated Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola indicated cell may aid in preventing bacterial leaf streak infection. results highlight as novel trait influences exchange, dynamics, defense against pathogens which propose could benefit performance future crops.