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A histological technique, using cellulolytic enzyme digestion, for assessing nutritive quality differences in grasses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

O. I. Selim ,
D. Wilson  and
D. I. H. Jones
O. I. Selim
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth
D. Wilson
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth
D. I. H. Jones
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth
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Summary

Transverse sections of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. leaves were incubated in cellulase at 40 °C with and without pepsin pretreatment. The sequence of tissue breakdown (mesophyll-phloem-adaxial epidermis) was the same in both treatments, but the rate of breakdown was much slower without pepsin pretreatment (up to 30 h compared with up to 90 min). Pepsin appeared to make the primary cell wall more susceptible to cellulase attack. Young leaves were digested faster than old. Possible applications to the evaluation of grass nutritive quality are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 85 , Issue 2 , October 1975 , pp. 297 - 299
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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