Effects of gibberellin and ethephon on the anatomy of sugar cane plants

Abstract

This research was carried out to study the effects of gibberellin (GA 50 mg L^-1) and ethephon (CEPA 1,200 mg L^-1) on the anatomy of sugar cane. Seed derived seedlings were sprayed with the growth regulators. Various plant parts (+4 leaves, +10 node, and +10 internode) were harvested at 216 days after sowing, sectioned and mounted on permanent slides. GA treated plants displayed intense meristematic activity, with continuous production of vascular bundles with reduced amount of fibers. The same treatment resulted in lower number and size of buliform cells in +4 leaves. CEPA treated plants showed lower meristematic activity of +10 node, reduced amount of fibers in the vascular bundles, and increased the number of buliform cells.