THE IMPORTANCE OF QUANTITATIVE ANATOMY IN THE INTERPRETATION OF WHOLE LEAF BIOCHEMISTRY IN SPECIES OF <i>TRITICUM, HORDEUM</i> AND <i>AVENA</i>

Abstract

SUMMARY The quantitative internal leaf architecture of the first leaves of several cereals, including species of Triticum, Hordeum and Avena , is described. In all the species only between 50 and 60% of the cells are mesophyll cells, 30 to 40% are vascular cells and 10% epidermal cells. Interspecific differences were identified in cell density and in the amount and distribution of non‐cellular space. In Triticum monococcum and Triticum aestivum the cell densities were 394 × 10 3 cm −2 and 124 × 10 3 cm −2 and non‐cellular space 20 and 24% respectively. The implications of these findings in the interpretation of leaf biochemistry are discussed.