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Annals of Botany 39: 995-1001, 1975
© 1975 Annals of Botany Company

RESEARCH-ARTICLE

The Distribution of Silicon Deposits in the Roots of Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench. and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

D. W. PARRY and M. KELSO

School of Plant Biology, University College of North Wales Bangor, Wales

Received: 22 October 1974   

The occurrence of silica in relation to meristematic zones and the thickening of the endodermis in the roots of Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench. and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. has been investigated by means of the electron-probe microanalyser and the scanning electron microscope. In proximal regions of mature roots of M. caerulea, the central strengthening tissue of the stele, the vessel walls, the endodermis and the sub-epidermal sclerenchyma are areas of heavy accumulation. The distal regions of such roots are relatively free of silicon and show little thickening of the inner tangential walls of the endodermis or of the cells of the strengthening tissues. The thickening of these elements is shown to be associated with their location and the age of the root.

In the proximal regions of S. bicolor, silicon is detected and largely confined to the inner tangential walls of the endodermis which display some thickening. In addition, discrete and evenly-distributed deposits varying in size partly fill the lumen of this layer. Some cells exhibit a number of smaller protrusions. High magnifications of these lumen deposits show a distinct granular structure in contrast to the very uniform pattern of the wall deposits.

The results are compared with deposits in grass leaves and inflorescence bracts and in woody perennials. The presence of silicon in addition to suberin, lignin and polyphenols in the thickened endodermal wall is also discussed in relation to the recognized function of the endodermis.


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Home page
 Plant Cell PhysiolHome page
T. Hattori, S. Inanaga, E. Tanimoto, A. Lux, M. Luxova, and Y. Sugimoto
Silicon-Induced Changes in Viscoelastic Properties of Sorghum Root Cell Walls
Plant Cell Physiol., July 15, 2003; 44(7): 743 - 749.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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