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Micromorphology of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Leaves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Chester G. Mcwhorter ,
Clark Ouzts  and
Rex N. Paul
Chester G. Mcwhorter
Affiliation:
Appl. Tech. Res. Unit
Clark Ouzts
Affiliation:
Appl. Tech. Res. Unit
Rex N. Paul
Affiliation:
Weed Biol. and Mgt. Res. Unit, South. Weed Sci. Lab., USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS 38776
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Abstract

Adaxial and abaxial epidermal surfaces of johnsongrass leaves were studied to determine which cells contribute to leaf microroughness. Cork-silica cell (CSC) pairs, three types of prickles, macrohairs, bicellular trichomes, stomata, and ordinary short and long epidermal cells were found and described. CSC pairs made up about 22% of all cells and probably contribute more to microroughness than any other single type because each cork cell produces 11 ± 3 wax filaments that are up to 100 μm long. Bicellular trichomes represented 4 to 5% of the total cells but decreased leaf roughness by secreting a type of mucilage that covers microscopic wax crystals. Stomatal complexes comprised 15 to 18% of all cells and contributed to leaf roughness because they are slightly recessed below the leaf surface. Long prickles occur primarily over veins and represent less than 1% of all cells. Small prickles were present primarily on adaxial surfaces and represent only 3% of all cells. Macrohairs were the largest appendages, 237 ± 104 μm, but they represent far less than 1% of all cells and occur primarily over veins. Ordinary short cells comprised 6 to 13% of all cells. Long cells were most common (41%) of all cells. Short and long cells contribute to leaf roughness because the surface is often convex. A typical johnsongrass leaf may contain more than 25 million appendages on each surface that increase the roughness already caused by epicuticular wax crystals.

Keywords

Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. # SORHABicellular trichomescork-silica cell pairsCSCmacrohairspricklesstomatawax filamentsleaf pubescenceSORHA
Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 41 , Issue 4 , December 1993 , pp. 583 - 589
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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