Abstract
The morphology and anatomy of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stems under conditions of copper deficiency were investigated. Copper was supplied at 0, 5 and 125 mg per Mitscherlich pot. The lignification of tissues in plants from field experiments (0; 5; 10; 20 mg Cu/ha) was also studied. Significant changes in stem and leaf morphology and anatomy were found along inhibition of inflorescence and flower development. The anthers produces sterile and deformed pollen grains. The diminished stability of stems was caused by the following anatomical changes: considerable reduction of steam diameter and culm wall thickness and decreased numbers and dimensions of sclerenchyma and parenchyma cells and layers. In addition, the size of vascular bundles and the diameter of xylem vessels were decreased and the sclerenchyma sheath around the vascular bundles was reduced. The epidermis and sclerenchyma cells had thinner walls. The absence of lignification of cells walls was observed most frequently in the peripheral tissues (epidermis, sclerenchyma and parenchyma). It was demonstrated that it was possible to histochemically determine the degree of stem lignification in the early phases of wheat development.
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