Anatomical and micromorphological analysis of root, stem and leaf of Echinochloa crus-galli (L) Beauv.

Darko Jovanović; Dragana Rančić

doi:10.5937/34ah-58512

Darko Jovanović Institute for Vegetable crops Smederevska Palanka https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8421-1644
Dragana Rančić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5955-8445

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/34ah-58512

Keywords: cockspur, barnyardgrass, stomata, C4 plant, silica cells

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate and characterise the anatomical structure of vegetative organs in Echinochloa crus-galli (L) Beauv., commonly known as cockspur or barnyardgrass. E. crus-galli is a member of the Poaceae family and is a common weed species which occures in many crops. For the purpose of these research, fully developed plants were collected at experimental field of the Institute of Vegetable crops in Smederevska Palanka. For anatomical investigation of root, stem and leaf several methodes of microslide preparation were employed. Cockspur has high water requirements and belongs to the hygrophilous weed species (F₄), what in in the anatomical level is reflected through large intercellular spaces (aerenchyma) present in stem and root. Generally speaking, anatomical characteristics of E. crus-galli, especially considering not only lignified endodermis, but also presence of lignified exodermis in roots, shares similarities with anatomical characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.), in which fields this species actually represent one of the most troublesome weeds. The anatomical structure of the stem is typical for monocots, featuring a single-layered epidermis on the surface, a hypodermis composed of chlorenchyma and sclerenchyma, and collateral vascular bundles collateral vascular bundles were distributed by pattern characteristic for Poaceae family, scattered throughout the main body of the stem, surrounded by well-developed parenchyma tissue. The leaves are characterized by Kranz anatomy, which is typical for plants with C₄-type photosynthesis. The leaf surface is characterized by the presence of short, non-glandular trichomes occur on both leaf surfaces, the adaxial and abaxial, while silica cells are located exclusively in the adaxial epidermis. These morpho-anatomical characteristics could be an significant factor in absorption of foliar applied herbicides, so understanding their role could be of a great importance for successful chemical control.

Author Biography

Dragana Rančić, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture

Full professor, Department of Agrobotany

References

Andjelkovic A., Pavlovic D. and Marisavljevic D.: Promene u zastupljenosti i pokrovnosti invazivnih korovskih vrsta na području Pančevačkog rita tokom desetogodišnjeg perioda. Acta herbologica, 23 (1): 43-52, 2014.
Vegetation Science Group and European Vegetation Survey (2024): https://floraveg.eu/taxon/overview/Echinochloa%20crus-galli
Arber A.: The Gramineae, a study of cereal, bamboo and grass. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1934.
Armstrong W. and Armstrong J.: Plant Internal Oxygen Transport (Diffusion and Convection) and Measuring and Modelling Oxygen Gradients, Low-Oxygen Stress in Plants, Plant Cell Monograph, 21: 267–297, 2023.
Blaschek L., Champagne A., Dimotakis C., Nuoendagula, Decou R., Hishiyama S., Kratzer S., Kajita S. and Pesquet E. Cellular and genetic regulation of coniferaldehyde incorporation in lignin of herbaceous and woody plants by quantitative Wiesner staining. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11 (109): 2020.
Botha C.E.J., Russell S. and Phillipson P.B.: Panicum ecklonii, a new record of a C4 photosynthetic variant. South African Journal of Botany, 54 (1): 89–93, 1988. doi:10.1016/s0254-6299(16)31367-9
Chimungu J.G., Loades K.W. and Lynch J.P. Root anatomical phenes predict root penetration ability and biomechanical properties in maize (Zea mays). Journal of Experimental Botany, 66 (11): 3151–3162, 2015.
EHRAC – European Herbicide Resistance Action Cometee: Weed fact sheet – Echinochloa crus-galli, 2021. https://hracglobal.com/europe/files/docs/EHRAC-Weed-Fact-Sheet-ECHCG.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Ejiri M., Fukao T., Miyashita T. and Shiono K.: A barrier to radial oxygen loss helps the root system cope with waterlogging-induced hypoxia. Breeding Science, 71 (1): 40-50, 2021.
Ellenberg H.: Zeigerwerte der Gefäßpflanzen Mitteleuropas (Indicator values of vascular plants in Central Europe). Scripta Geobotanica, 9, 1-97, 1974.
Feng W., Lindner H., Robbins N.E. and Dinneny J.R.: Growing out of stress: the role of cell- and organ-scale growth control in plant water-stress responses. Plant Cell 28 (8): 1769–1782, 2016.
Gowik U. and Westhoff P.: The path from C3 to C4 photosynthesis. Plant Physiology, 155 (1): 56–63, 2011. doi: 10.1104/pp.110.165308
Hamman K., Williamson R. L., Steffler E., Wright C., Hess J. and Pryfogle P.: Structural Analysis of Wheat Stems. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. 121-124 (1-3): 71-80, 2005.
Hatch M.D. and Slack C.R.: Photosynthesis by sugar-cane leaves. A new carboxylation reaction and the pathway of sugar formation. Biochemical Journal, 101 (1): 103-111, 1966. doi:10.1042/bj1010103.
Hazman M. and Brown K.M. Progressive drought alters architectural and anatomical traits of rice roots. Rice 11, 62 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12284-018-0252-z
Henry A., Mabit L., Jaramillo R.E., Cartagena Y. and Lynch J.P.: Land use effects on erosion and carbon storage of the Río Chimbo watershed, Ecuador. Plant and Soil, 367 (1-2): 477–491, 2012.
Imaz J.A., Giménez D.O., Grimoldi A.A. and Striker G.G.: "The effects of submergence on anatomical, morphological and biomass allocation responses of tropical grasses Chloris gayana and Panicum coloratum at seedling stage," Crop and Pasture Science, 63 (12): 1145-1155, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP12335
Javelle M., Vernoud V., Rogowsky P.M. and Ingram G.C.: Epidermis: the formation and functions of a fundamental plant tissue, New Phytologist, 189 (1): 17–39, 2010. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03514.x
Khan, T.D., Elzaawely A.A., Chung I.M., Ahn J.K., Tawata S. and Xuan T.D.: Role of allelochemicals for weed management in rice. Allelopathy Journal, 19 (1): 85–96, 2007.
Lorenzo P., Hussain M.I. and Gonzalez L.: Role of allelopathy during invasion process by alien invasive plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In: Cheema, Z.A., Farooq, M., Wahid, A. (Eds.), Allelopathy: Current Trends and Future Applications. Springer, Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 3-21, 2013.
Lundgren M.R., Osborne C.P. and Christin P.A.: Deconstructing Kranz anatomy to understand C4 evolution. Journal of Experimental Botanym, 65 (13): 3357–3369, 2014. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eru186
Lux A., Luxová M., Abe J. and Morita S.: Root cortex: structural and functional variability and responses to environmental stress. Root Research, 13 (3), 117-131, 2004.
Maun M.A. and Barrett S.C.H.: The biology of Canadian weeds. Echinochloa crus galli L. Beauv. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 66: 739–759, 1986.
Metcalfe C.R.: Anatomy of the Monocotyledons, Gramineae. Clarendon Press, 1: 1960.
Neto M.A.M. and Guerra M.P.: A new method for determination of the photosynthetic pathway in grasses. Photosynth Research, 142 (1): 51–56, 2019. doi: 10.1007/s11120-019-00646-5
Ogorek L.L.P., Jiménez J.d.l.C., Visser EJW, Takahashi H., Nakazono M., Shabala S. and Pedersen O.: Outer apoplastic barriers in roots: prospects for abiotic stress tolerance. Functional Plant Biology, 51 (1): 2024.
Ottesen M.A., Larson R.A., Stubbs C.J. and Cook D.D.: A parameterised model of maize stem cross-sectional morphology, Biosystems Engineering Volume 218 (1): 110-123, 2022.
Stirbet A., Guo Y., Lazar D. and Govindjee G. From leaf to multiscale models of photosynthesis: applications and challenges for crop improvement. Photosynthesis Research, 161 (1-2): 1-29, 2024. 10.1007/s11120-024-01083-9.
Vrbnicanin S., Karadzic B. and Dajic-Stevanovic Z. Adventivne i invazivne korovske vrste na području Srbije. Acta herbologica, 13 (1): 1-12, 2004.
Vrbničanin S.: Rezistentnost korova na herbicide. Acta herbologica 29 (2): 79-96, 2020.
Yamauchi T., Noshita K. and Tsutsumi N.: Climate-smart crops: key root anatomical traits that confer flooding tolerance. Breeding Science, 71: 51-61, 2021.