Characteristics and correlations of leaf stomata in different Aleurites montana provenances

Stomata are important indexes in studies of plant origin, evolution, and classification and are important organs in plant phylogenetic relationship studies. Nine Aleurites montana provenances were used in this study to examine stomatal density, stomatal area, stomatal perimeter, long axis length, and short axis length. The correlation and cluster analyses were conducted among the morphological parameters of the pores. The results showed that there were significant differences in different A. Montana provenances in terms of stomatal morphology parameters. The average stomatal density, stomatal area, stomatal perimeter, stomatal long axis length, and stomatal short axis length of each provenance was between 224.16–307.10 stomata/mm2, 80.42–99.76 μm, 36.39–41.32 μm, 15.89–18.44 μm, and 6.53–7.46 μm, respectively, and the coefficient of variation was between 9.18%–20.15%, 17.57%–33.77%, 9.31%–18.79%, 9.71%–18.48%, and 10.26%–21.57%, respectively. Correlation analysis shows that there was a significant negative correlation between stomatal density and stomatal shape parameters (stomatal area, stomatal perimeter, stomatal long axis, stomatal short axis) and there was a significant positive correlation between stomatal parameters. There was no significant correlation between geographical environment factors and stomatal characteristics. There is a close relationship between stomatal morphology and stomatal conductance whereby dense small stomata can quickly adapt to changes in the environment; considering the characteristics A. montana stomata in terms of stomatal stability and ability to adapt to the environment, the Jianyang, Zhenghe, Fuding, Shaxian provenances were identified as being more suitable for planting at different sites. This study provides a theoretical basis for the genetic improvement and breeding of high quality A. montana provenances.