WAX The cuticle(a protective waxy covering produced only by the epidermal cells of plant) is composed of an insoluble cuticular membrane impregnated by and covered with soluble WAKES. Waxes are an important ‘component of a seediing's stress resistance capability. Surface waxes have several functions which help to control water loss under exposed conditions which occur on an outplanting site. In addition, good cuticular wax development has implications on the handling and storage of seedlings as they are lifted, held and then shipped for planting on logged sites. Wax development occurs within the cuticle, GUEEUIAFWAR and on the surface of the cuticle, SBREUREOIBFWAR which are mixtures of hydrophobic aliphatic compounds, hydrocarbons with chain lengths typically in the range C16 to C36. Cuticular wax provides a waterproof quality to inhibit water loss from the leaf surface. Epicuticular wax is extruded or migrates from the epidermal cells and is crystalline in nature. The epicuticular wax occurs as a three-cimensional mat on the surface of the leaf and it may also fill (occlude) stomatal cavities. The major function of the surface mat is to is to scatter and reflect light, while the stomatal occlusions can significantly reduce water loss from the stomates. Cuticular wax can be enhanced by growing plants under mild water or heat stress conditions. The degree of wax development can be affected by the level of stress applied. This wax is an integral part of the cutin structure, occurs as discontinuous plates and these plates, in aggregate, act to make the cutin water repellant. (EpiCUTICUIAFWANIEFVSIAIS often resulting in complex and ornate patterns in the leaf surface. The shapes of the crystals are dependent on the wax compounds present in them. Asymmetrical secondary alcohols and B-diketones form hollow wax nanotubes, while primary alcohols and symmetrical secondary alcohols form flat plates. Although these have been observed using the transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope the process of growth of the crystals had never been observed directly until Koch and coworkers studied growing wax crystals on leaves of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and other species using the atomic force microscope. These studies show that the crystals grow by extension from their tips. Epiciticlar WaX/GFVSHAIS which enhance their water repellency, create a self-cleaning property jown as the lotus effect . The fusion of aggregates of these crystalline structures can form into very thick protective mats which can serve also as protection against physical injuries. The inclination angle of these wax structures is important for their function. The main function of the crystalline surface is to scatter and reflect light. The waxes will scatter UV and blue light and thebloom of most plants which have a well developed epicuticular surface appears to be white to bluish in colour, depending on the specific reflective characteristics of the wax. The effect of scattering is to reduce the heat loading from sunlight. The reduction of heat loading results in lower water use rates and lower leaf temperatures. Plants exposed to high sunlight or to UV will produce thick, well developed surface wax structures. The waxy sheet of cuticle also functions in defense, forming a physical barrier that resists penetration by virus particles, bacterial cells, and the spores or growing filaments of fungi Epicuticular wax crystals surrounding a stomatal aperture on the lower surface of a rose leaf. Water beads on the waxy cuticle of kale leaves