Publication Date
1997
Description
Both the yield and digestibility of C4 grasses have been related to anatomical characteristics. The objectives of the current work were to test switchgrass with varied yield and digestibility for variation in anatomical measurements and to develop a method of graphically representing the anatomy. Six accessions were established in replicated field plots and the lamina were sampled, dehydrated and embedded for anatomical study. Midrib dimensions were excluded from study but perimeters of primary and secondary vascular bundles in the lamina were measured. Lamina thickness was determined at the primary bundle, secondary bundle and at the minimum between the bundles. The distance between the primary and secondary bundles was also measured. The accessions differed in perimeter of primary vascular bundles, lamina thickness at the primary bundle and the distance from primary to secondary vascular bundle (P<0.05). Variation in lamina thickness at the secondary vascular bundles approached significance (P<0.10).
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Characterization of the Leaf Anatomy of Panicum Virgatum Germplasm
Both the yield and digestibility of C4 grasses have been related to anatomical characteristics. The objectives of the current work were to test switchgrass with varied yield and digestibility for variation in anatomical measurements and to develop a method of graphically representing the anatomy. Six accessions were established in replicated field plots and the lamina were sampled, dehydrated and embedded for anatomical study. Midrib dimensions were excluded from study but perimeters of primary and secondary vascular bundles in the lamina were measured. Lamina thickness was determined at the primary bundle, secondary bundle and at the minimum between the bundles. The distance between the primary and secondary bundles was also measured. The accessions differed in perimeter of primary vascular bundles, lamina thickness at the primary bundle and the distance from primary to secondary vascular bundle (P<0.05). Variation in lamina thickness at the secondary vascular bundles approached significance (P<0.10).
