A DEVELOPMENTAL STUDY OF SILICIFICATION IN THE ABAXIAL EPIDERMAL CELLS OF SUGARCANE LEAF BLADES USING SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY AND ENERGY DISPERSIVE X-RAY ANALYSIS

A developmental study of the accumulation of silicon and other elements in the abaxial epidermis of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) leaf blades using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis showed that accumulation of silicon progresses at different rates in each epidermal cell type. In basal cells of two-celled microhairs and in prickles there is accumulation of silicon while the leaf is immature and still enclosed within the spindle cluster of leaves and not involved in transpiration. After transpiration begins, all epidermal cells rapidly accumulate silicon. However, there are differences in the rate of silicon accumulation and in the maximum amount of silicon accumulation among the various cell types. This may relate to differences in their physiology or structure.