Histochemical studies in stomatal apparatus of Phaseolus mungo Linn, Lathyrus sativus Linn and Opuntia elatior Mill.

With histochemical methods the distribution of some enzymes and metabolic substances in the epidermal peelings of Phaseolus mungo, Lathyrus sativus, and Opuntia elatior under light and dark conditions is examined. Dehydrogenases oxidases, transferases and hydrolases were studied. Fluctuations in the activity of hydrolases, especially, acid phosphatase, lipase, glucose-6-phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, dehydrogenases and transferases were observed during light and dark conditions. The role of such fluctuations in relation to stomatal regulation is discussed. Based on the present studies the following is suggested; stomatal opening and closing is related to structural and metabolic changes, and these changes are brought about by sugar gradients in the guard cells; light is enhancing the synthesis of sugars and some hormones, and besides this it stimulates membrane bound adenyl cyclase and release of cyclic AMP which affects the permeability; subsidiary cells actively participate in the stomatal physiology. Lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes like acid phosphatase are actively involved in catabolic phase of normal guard cells metabolism and regulate the osmotic pressure of the guard cells.