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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2015, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (3): 213-218.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150322

• Orignal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Study of the anatomy and apoplastic barrier characteristics of Imperata cylindrica

YANG Chaodong1, LI Shoufeng2, DENG Shiming3, YAO Lan3, YUAN Longyi1, ZHANG Xia1*   

  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China;
    2.Institution of Grassland Research of CAAS, Hohhot 010010, China
  • Received:2014-06-03 Revised:2014-06-30 Online:2015-03-20 Published:2015-03-20

Abstract: The anatomical structure and apoplastic barriers of congo grass (Imperata cylindrica) were studied using an epifluorescence microscope. The results showed that the anatomical structure of adventitious roots consisted of epidermis, exodermis, sclerenchyma ring, cortex, endodermis and stele. The anatomical structure of the rhizome consisted of cuticle, epidermis, peripheral mechanical ring, cortex, sclerenchyma ring and pith. The apoplastic barriers in the adventitious roots of congo grass have inner layers consisting of endodermis and neighbor cortex and outer layers consisting of epidermis and hypodermis. Apoplastic barriers in the rhizome have inner layers consisting of sclerenchyma ring and outer layers consisting of cuticle and peripheral mechanical ring. The cell walls of apoplastic barriers deposited as Casparian bands with suberin and lignin. The aerenchyma of congo grass consisted of aerenchyma in adventitious roots, and cortex aerenchyma and air chambers in vascular bundles in the rhizome. The apoplastic barriers and anatomical structures of congo grass are important characteristics for adapting to wetlands. However, the characteristics of a peripheral mechanical ring without suberin and pith without cavities may limit congo grass growth in wetlands.