Influence of auto-exhaust pollution on trichome micromorphology of Olea europea L. leaves.

This study aimed to determine the influence of auto-exhaust pollution on trichome structure of Olea europea L. leaves. For this purpose, olive leaves were collected from two areas one of which is urban and the other is rural. Leaf surface sections in leaves were obtained to examine the influence of auto-exhaust pollution on trichome structure of olive. Width-length thicknesses in peltate trichome were measured using a micrometric ocular. To investigate the density and the percentages of damaged-nondamaged peltate trichomes among the groups, the upper epidermis of leaves was photographed with SEM. According to the results, the values of width and length thicknesses of peltate trichome were lower in urban area when compared to rural site. The density and percentages of nondamaged peltate structure were lower in urban area whereas damaged peltate structures were increased. Auto-exhaust pollution decreased the amount of nondamaged peltate trichome structure and caused damaged peltate structures in olive leaves. The plant can be more sensitive to drought because of decreased amount of peltate trichomes and also increased damaged peltate trichome structures in urban area.