Lignification and cell compartmentalization in leaf of BC2 hybrids of abuab (Musa textilis Nee.) and Pacol (Musa balbisiana)
2015
Oane, R. | Villela, J.A. | Lalusin, A.G. | Laurena, A.C.
Abaca (Musa textilis) is a good source of high quality fiber known worldwide as Manila hemp. One of the major components of abaca fiber is lignin. Lignin is found in the spaces of cell walls between cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectin components. It provides mechanical strength to the cell wall and to the whole plant. In this study, leaves or pseudostems of three BCsub2 hybrids of a cross between Abuab (good fiber quality) and Pacol (abaca bunchy top virus resistance wild banana), were screened for degree of lignifications using phloroglucinol-HCI staining. Leaf blades were analyzed for stomatal density and number of cell compartments. Results showed that reddish pink staining was prevalent in the sclerenchymatous sub-epidermal layer and xylem vessels of the leaf midrib indicative of lignin deposition. Among the hybrids BCsub2-7 had 6x more lignin deposition measured in terms of depth of pink-red coloration in lead midrib cross sections than other hybrids. BCsub2-7 had also the largest area of xylem fibers (7073+- 21 um square) while BCsub2-2 had the least degree of lignifications and smallest xylem fibers. Analysis of leaf blade revealed that stomatal density was more numerous in the upper epidermis with the most number in BCsub2-2 (163+- 4.6) among the hybrids. On the other hand, the number of cell compartments in the leaf blade was greatest in BCsub2-7 (25+- 0.9 um). There was a strong positive correlation (0.991) between depth of lignin deposition and the number of cell compartments present in the BCsub2 hybrids. To better explain these results, future studies will focus on the expression of genes involved in lignin and cellulose biosynthesis.
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