NADP-ME Subtype C4 Grass Saccharum spontaneum L.: An Anatomical Study

Leaf blade of Saccharum spontaneum L. was scrutinized microscopically in the present study. Surface features and internal structures in leaf blades from plants grown in natural terrain were examined in peelings and transverse sections after staining with 1% aqueous solution of safranin. Different types of cell diagram were measured from the photographs. In both abaxial and adxial surfaces of the leaf blade, stomata, cork cells, micro hairs, long and short cells with sinuous wall were recognized. Epidermal cells (15.13µm) were found compactly arranged with oval shaped cells. Mesophyll layer composed of chlorophyllus cells, were 31.04 µm in diameter with irregular intercellular space and in between large air spaces were attended. Mesophyll cells surrounded chlorophyllus bundle sheath (14.17 µm in diameter) in a ring like fashion. The distance between vascular bundles were met up by two mesophyll cells, suggesting C4 plant characteristics. Sclerenchymatous cells (12.71 µm) were recorded excessive in the region of large vascular bundle. In vascular bundle, phloem set with sieve tube and companion cell elements and xylem is composed of vessel, fibers and xylem parenchyma. A fiber cell was measured 10.58 µm in average diameter. The group vessel was observed, will be an identical feature for this grass studied. Lysigenous cavity in protoxylem region of large vascular bundle was a notable feature for this grass. The absence of thickened wall mestome sheath around vascular bundle and exclusive presence of bundle sheath cells layer, are the features of NADP-ME subtype C4. The results of the present study are specifying that the experimented plant S. spontaneum is a NADP-ME subtype C4 grass. The anatomical features of the grass studied here will help to resolve taxonomic problems of the Gramineae family