Leaf morphological and anatomical traits variation of Artemisia herba-alba in a steppe zone of Algeria

Khadidja Abderabbi (1, 2) , Ahmed Adda (1) , Hachemi Benhassaini (2) , Othmane Merah (3, 4)

1 Université Ibn Khaldoun de Tiaret = University of Tiaret
2 UDL - جامعة جيلالي اليابس [سيدي بلعباس، الجزائر] = Université Djillali Liabès [Sidi Bel Abbès, Algérie] = Djillali Liabes University [Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria]
3 CAI - Chimie Agro-Industrielle
4 UT3 - Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier

The present study was interested on the leaf morphological and anatomical parameters characterization and variation of Artemisia herba-alba Asso population in a steppe zone of western Algeria. The results showed signifi cant micro- and macromorphological variability between individuals in the study population. The leaf anatomy brings the presence of a water reserve parenchyma in this species. This parenchyma would be a water accumulation site during dry periods and it is therefore an effective mechanism for drought adaptation. The anatomical parameters studied also show signifi cant variations. The other anatomical parameters of the leaf also have a very pronounced variability. It is shown through this study that morpho-anatomical models are established. Thus, the increase of the water reserve parenchyma thickness is accompanied by an increase of the chlorophyll parenchyma and the stomatal density, and the opposite situation was observed.

Mots clés: Artemisia; Adaptation; Leaf; Morphology; Anatomy; Water reserve parenchyma

Domaines: Sciences agricoles

Khadidja Abderabbi, Ahmed Adda, Hachemi Benhassaini, Othmane Merah. Leaf morphological and anatomical traits variation of Artemisia herba-alba in a steppe zone of Algeria. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 2018, 24 (4), pp.631-637. ⟨hal-02407003⟩