Anatomy on Leaf Blade of Eleusine indica L. (Gramineae): A Study on Kranz Grass

Md. Mahabubur Rahman, Rubaiyat Sharmin Sultana

Abstract:

The anatomical features of Eleusine indica L. belonging to Gramineae family were investigated in the present study which was conducted in the laboratory of Crop Botany, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Chapainawabganj. The leaf blades of field grown healthy plants were studied. Leaf blade surface was examined around stained peeling. Anatomical features were observed in transverse sections stained with 1% aqueous solution of safranin under a light microscope. Different types of cells diagram were measured from the photographs. Stomata were present in both abaxial and adxial surfaces of the leaf of E. indica L., therefore, the leaf is amphistomatic. In E. indica L. presence of cork cells, micro hair, long and short cells with sinuous wall showed various defensive activities against disease and environmental stress. In the features of ventral surface of leaf blade, long longitudinal veins, small longitudinal veins and transverse veins were observed. Ligule located at the junction of leaf blade and leaf sheath where ligule hairs existed profusely. Upper and lower epidermis layers were made of elongated compact cells. In the upper layer, large bulliform cells (85.68 µm in average diameter) and small bulliform cells (31.02µm in average diameter) were observed. They were arranged in cluster. Between the two epidermal layers, a chlorophyllus mesophyll layer was compactly arranged but it was not differentiated from palisade and spongy parenchyma. A layer of mesophyll cell is present surrounding the bundle sheath cell in ring like fashion. Average diameter of mesophyll cell was measured 40.49 µm and number of mesophyll cells was two between vascular bundles. Two types of vascular bundle, large and small were attended alternately. The vascular bundles of the leaf blade were associated with strands of hypodermal sclerenchyma. Bundle sheath cells were located surround vascular bundle and contain chloroplasts and small starch grains. The features of vascular bundle, sheath cells and mesophyll cells reveal kranz anatomy, therefore, the experimented plant (Eleusine indica L.) was suggested to be a C4 plants. The epidermal features of the plant studied will help to resolve taxonomic problems.

Keywords:

Anatomical, Eleusine indica, Goosegrass, Kranz anatomy, Leaf blades

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