Copyright © 2020 University of Bucharest Rom Biotechnol Lett. 2020; 25(4): 1754-1758 Printed in Romania. All rights reserved doi: 10.25083/rbl/25.4/1754.1758 ISSN print: 1224-5984 ISSN online: 2248-3942 Received for publication, February, 2, 2020 Accepted, May, 9, 2020 Original paper Determination of morphological characteristics of leaves in cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) SINA COSMULESCU1*, FELICIA CORNESCU FRATUTU2, DANIEL RADUTOIU1 1University of Craiova, Horticulture Faculty, A.I. Cuza Street, 13, Craiova, Romania 2University of Craiova, Horticulture Faculty, Doctoral School of Plant and Animal Resources Engineering, A.I. Cuza Street, 13, Craiova, Romania Abstract The characteristics of leaves, such as length, width and foliar surface, can vary between different genotypes within the same species, influencing the growth of plants but also their productivity. This paper presents a model of cornelian cherry leaf research (Cornus mas L.) using the ImageJ program. The obtained results indicate high variations for leaf surface characteristics. Thus, the leaf surface had an average value of between 15.32 cm² (C10) and 30.89 cm² (C1), the leaf length between 6.12 cm (C8) and 9.56 cm (C1), the leaf width between 3.57 cm (C10) and 5.64 cm (C1), the length of petiole varied between 2.37 mm (C7) and 4.11 mm (C10). The results obtained can be useful in studies of physiology, plant taxonomy and research on the effects of environmental factors and contribute with more information to complete morphological knowledge concerning this species. Keywords Cornus mas L, leaf surface, leaf dimensions. To cite this article: COSMULESCU S, FRATUTU FC, RADUTOIU D. Determination of morphological characteristics of leaves in cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Rom Biotechnol Lett. 2020; 25(4): 1754-1758. DOI: 10.25083/rbl/25.4/1754.1758 *Corresponding author: SINA COSMULESCU, University of Craiova, Horticulture Faculty, A.I. Cuza Street, 13, Craiova, Romania E-mail: [email protected] Determination of morphological characteristics of leaves in cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) can be an important criterion for selecting superior geno- Introduction types. Farmanpour Kalalagh et al (2016) showed that leaf length and width were important features in separating Cornelian cherry grows in Romania in deciduous cornelian cherry genotypes in Iran. The purpose of this forests on the hills and mountain areas, but we also find it paper is to highlight the features of Cornus mas leaf and as an ornamental plant, in parks and gardens, due to the to contribute with more information to complete morpho- early flowering and its special appearance (CORNESCU logical knowledge concerning this species. FRATUTU and COSMULESCU, 2019). The leaves ensure a permanent decoration, in shape, size and appearance and Materials and Methods play an important role in the life of trees, as they receive light, thus influencing physiological processes such as 1. Materials photosynthesis, transpiration and absorption (MOUSAVI Observations and measurements were made on a set et al, 2014). The leaves are in opposition, with a short of 20 mature cornelian cherry leaves (Cornus mas L), in 17 pedicel, oval shaped, 3-5 cm wide and 6-8 cm long, with an cornelian cherry genotypes found in Calaparu population, entire margin that is shortly acuminate and supplied with Gorj County (44°41′2″N 23°19′28″E). Genotypes were visible parallel veins (DA RONCH et al, 2016). Leaf size coded with letters filled with numeric characters, respec- and shape may vary between different genotypes of the tively, C1 ... C17. same species. Morphological and morphometrical features such as the ovality ratio, the finesse of tip, the membranous 2. Methods texture, the venation type and notophyll size class allow Aiming to determine the morphometric characteristics Cornus mas to be adaptable for its temperate even with of leaves, the ImageJ program was used to processing air humidity and semi-arid regions (BERCU, 2013). and analysing the images (Figure 1), which enabled the To research the biology of fruit trees, precise methods of measurement of foliar limbus length, width of foliar estimating the surface of leaves are often needed (SPANN limbus, petiole length and surface area foliar limbus. and HEEREMA, 2010). Achieved knowledge on traits Leaves were photographed using a smart phone camera and variability was utilized to develop new and modify already saved onto a PC computer. Files were then uploaded into existing descriptors to create an innovated cornelian ImageJ software Leaf Image Analysis – Surface Area cherry genotype evaluation descriptor list (BRINDZA protocol (Figure 1) and the surface area of leaves was et al, 2006). Recently, cornelian cherry has attracted the determined. Each leaf was measured using an area contour attention of fruit growers, due to its food value but also calibrated to 0.01 cm², using the method described by ornamental (ERCÝSLÝ, 2004; DA RONCH et al, 2016; Cosmulescu et al (2020). Based on the obtained dimens- COSMULESCU et al, 2019). There are many other spe- ions, the length / width ratio of foliar limbus was also cialized papers that provide information on leaf length and calculated, and a classification of genotypes was made by width, leaf surface, in several fruit species (HORSLEY, size classes, according to leaf surface area using the model KERSTIENS and HAWES, 1994; CENTRITTO et al, described by Bercu (2013). Measurements made with 2000, KERAMATLOU et al, 2015; COSMULESCU et al, the ImageJ software enable making a set of statistical 2020). Phenotypic characteristics are also the first to be measurements of an image. Depending on the selection used for diversity research (KIANI et al, 2010). A high conducted, the application calculates and displays results coefficient of variation for morphological characteristics of statistical calculation in a table. Figure 1. Analysis of cornelian cherry leaves’ characteristics 1755 SINA COSMULESCU et al literature. Sotiropoulos et al (2011) reported foliar limbus 3. Statistical analysis surface area variation limits from 21.84 cm² to 39.50 cm², The data obtained were statistically processed using while Bercu (2013) found genotypes with leaf surface area the program Data analysis in Microsoft Excel (StatPoint between 5.22 cm² and 25.27 cm². The lowest coefficient Technologies, Warrenton, VA, USA). of variation calculated for leaf surface area, which was Results and Discussions 15.21% in C4, and the highest, respectively 36.19%, in C1. Depending on the average value of foliar limbus surface The knowledge of morphometric characteristics of area obtained for each genotype, a classification of them by leaves is of particular importance in the process of selection classes of leaf sizes was made. Thus, of the 17 cornelian of new genotypes of cornelian cherry, being known that cherry genotypes, eight genotypes (C3, C4, C7, C8, C9, the leaf is the most important organ of plants, due to its C10, C11 and C16) have very small leaves with an average structure that reflects an expression of ability to adapt the surface area of foliar limbus value between 15.32 cm² plants to ever changing climatic conditions (SANCHEZ, (C10) and 19.46 cm² (C16), while the rest of genotypes 1967). have small leaves, with an average value of foliar limbus Thus in Table 1 are presented the average values of surface area ranging from 20.93 cm² (C6) to 30.89 cm² the foliar limbus surface area which varied between (C1). The results obtained are similar to those obtained by 15.32 cm² (C10) and 30.89 cm² (C1), the limits of varia- Bercu (2013), who specified that the studied genotypes tion between 11.31 cm² (C3) and 58.62 cm² (C1). The were classified as having very small leaves (5.22-19.87 cm²) data obtained are comparable to those of the specialized and having small leaves (20.95-25.27 cm²). Table 1. Surface area of foliar limbus in genotypes analyzed Parameters Genotypes analysed C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 Surface Average ± 30.89± 26.94 16.04 ± 18.58 ± 20.73 ± 20.93 ± 19.22 15.80 ± 18.09 ± 15.32 ± 16.66 ± 30.38 ± 29.92 ± 27.35 ± 24.10 19.46 ± 27.35 ± area of SD 11.18 ± 5.52 3.30 2.82 6.04 6.28 ± 5.80 2.54 4.38 2.40 2.65 8.21 8.66 8.36 ± 3.85 4.34 8.21 foliar Variation 13.30- 17.0- 11.31- 13.28- 12.83- 12.86- 9.86 - 11.44- 11.34- 11.57- 13.38- 15.93- 18.48- 14.95- 18.4 - 13.85- 15.88- limbus range 58.62 37.48 24.37 23.15 31.89 31.89 31.18 19.20 25.83 19.07 23.13 41.39 45.79 41.05 30.36 28.67 41.76 (cm²) CV % 36.19 20.51 20.61 15.21 29.14 30 30.2 16.1 24.25 15.71 15.94 27.04 28.96 30.56 15.98 22.3 30.01 Regarding the morphological characteristics, such as and width, and the petiole’s length, we can also observe the foliar limbus length and width, the ratio beween length variations between genotypes (Table 2). Table 2. Length, width and ratio between length and width of leaves from genotypes in Calapăru* population Parameters Genotypes analysed C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 Leaf Average 9.56 8.44 6.61 6.92 7.41 7.41 7.02 6.12 7.64 6.62 7.21 8.85 9.43 9.1 8.19 7.33 8.44 length ±SD ±1.12 ±0.56 ±0.54 ±0.61 ±1.09 ±1.08 ±0.68 ±0.54 ±0.90 ±0.53 ±0.55 ±0.93 ±1.18 ±1.36 ±0.88 ±1.06 ±1.02 (L; cm) Variation 8.14- 7.38 - 5.93- 5.67 - 5.84 - 5.84 - 5.96 - 5.06 - 5.70 - 5.54 - 6.46- 7.3- 7.94- 7.12- 7.18- 5.97- 6.98- range 11.80 9.24 8.24 7.98 9.15 9.15 8 6.88 8.78 7.7 8.25 10.37 12.14 11.58 10.58 9.37 10.75 CV% 11.8 6.64 8.3 8.95 14.73 14.66 9.75 8.8 12.15 8.03 7.66 10.5 12.54 15 10.8 14.55 12.09 Leaf Average 5.64± 4.82 3.62±