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- Title
Epicuticular Wax of the First Leaves of Two Barley Cultivars Studied by Cryo Scanning Electron Microscopy.
- Authors
Jørgensen, H. J. Lyngs; Lyshede, O. B.; Allerup, S.
- Abstract
Chemical fixation and critical point drying of plant tissue prior to scanning electron microscopy often degrades the outermost layer of the specimen, i.e. the epicuticular wax. Knowledge of the unaltered wax, including its morphology, is important because the wax constitutes the interface between the plant and its surroundings. Having worked previously with barley leaves (anatomy, infection biology of pathogens), we found it of interest to examine and describe the wax morphology on barley leaves and to determine whether or not there were differences between cultivars. Hence, the morphology of the epicuticular wax on the first leaf of two spring barley cultivars has been studied by scanning electron microscopy following cryofixation. The wax on both cultivars consists chiefly of scales with a small proportion of rods and granules. There is little variation in wax morphology over each leaf side, and only minor differences between the abaxial and adaxial sides of the same leaf. Distinct differences are, however, observed between the two cultivars, especially regarding the thickness and the shape of the wax scales. The wax bodies cover the entire surface of a leaf except for parts of trichomes and guard cells, and some scattered wax free areas. The morphology and distribution of wax are discussed in relation to studies made on barley leaves using different techniques. Also, the implications of wax morphology for disease resistance are briefly discussed.
- Subjects
BARLEY; PLANT drying; LEAVES; CULTIVARS; PLANT morphology
- Publication
Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science, 1995, Vol 174, Issue 4, p217
- ISSN
0931-2250
- Publication type
Article