Studies on the Ontogeny of the Pigment Strand in the Caryopsis of Wheat

Abstract

The grain of wheat has a groove that extends inward nearly to the centre of the grain. At the base of this crease and extending through its length there is a strand of coloured tissue, the pigment strand. At about 3 days after anthesis the cells of this strand of tissue are similar to meristematic cells, possessing thin walls and the usual complement of organelles. At about 9 days after anthesis the cell walls thicken and lignify.