The distribution of growth in a maize leaf : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Botany at Massey University

The extension in a maize leaf phytomer was studied in terms of the one dimensional displacement of its fabric relative to its base as a function of position and of age. The relationship between displacement, position and age was termed the displacement field. The displacements, during a 24 hour interval, of a series of points spaced along the length of a particular phytomer was recorded. This provided an Eulerian evaluation of the 24 hour displacement field. A population of plants each representing a different age were used and the average displacement field of the phytomer during its period of growth was established. Extension was localised in the region named the growth zone at the base of the phytomer. The length of the growth zone rose and fell following a wave shaped curve with respect to age. It was never constant. The relationship between the displacement of and position of points within the growth zone formed a smooth sigmoid curve. The presence of the ligule and of the node of leaf insertion did not give rise to any local reduction in extension. A method of tracing the movement of a point in the leaf fabric, through the growth zone, over a period of time is explained. Such Lagrangian pathlines are described using referential notation, X=x(t;x.). The pathlines of points were constructed by a stepwise addition of the relevant displacement values read from the displacement field for each successive position and age. The pathlines of two chosen points provided positions, as a function of age, for the boundaries of a growing and moving segment. The segment was in mid lamina. Its length increased from 0.025mm when its lower boundary was at 3.6mm from the leaf base to 2mm at maturity. The numbers by types of cells in the lower epidermis of the segment were surveyed at a series of plant ages. There was an initial decrease and then a considerable increase in the average length of the non stomata! cells during the period of the experiment. During the same period the segment increased in length and this was accompanied by an increase in the number of cells in the sample rows. This increase in cell numbers was continuing when the segment reached a position 40mm from the base of the leaf within the then 67mm long growth zone. The associated cell division was occurring in all of the cell categories, not the stomata! complexes alone. The development of stomata with respect to plant age is discussed. Stomata! initiation in the leaf segment was not restricted to a single occasion or unique position in the growth zone

The sedges and grasses of Gautambudhnagar (Noida) U.P. India

The present study is the result of two years (April 2005-April 2007) of extensive survey and exploration of sedges and grasses of Gautambudh Nagar. A total number of 95 species of Cyperaceae and Gramineae (Poaceae) have been collected from this area. Out of 95 species of these two families belonging to 68 genera, 65 species belong to Gramineae (Poaceae) and 30 species belong to Cyperaceae. There are two plants of Cyperaceae and Gramineae (Poaceae) respectively: Eleocharis capitata R. Br. and Isachne albens Trin., which have been reported for the first time from this area

VULPIA (GRAMINEAE) IN MALESIA

SUMADIJAYA, A. & VELDKAMP, J. F.2009. Vulpia (Gramineae) in Malesia. Reinwardtia 12(5): 343–346.- A brief account of Vulpia (Gramineae) in Malesia is which consisting of V. bromoides and V. myuros is provided here, based on material seenprimarily by JFV in BO, K, L, CANB

G-banding of plant chromosomes

A method for the staining of the chromosomal material of plant cells so as to induce G-Bands, useful in plant genetic studies such as hydridization. G-Banding is induced by contacting living plant cells, such as those of plants of the family Gramineae, with actinomycin D, N-methyl-N'-nitroguanidine or ethidium bromide. More particularly, plant cells are treated with AMD and colchicine before fixation, prepared for viewing through a microscope by staining and then mounted on a glass slide.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste