A preliminary investigation of the development of structural constituents in the barley plant (With three text-figures.)

Abstract

Summary1. Barley plants, carefully sampled, were harvested weekly during the season. Growth measurements were made and various analyses carried out on the dried material.2. Both ash and protein showed an initial increase followed by a steady fall as development proceeded.3. The Cross and Bevan cellulose fraction, which may be taken as the natural cellulosic fabric of the plant, increased from 30 to 53 per cent., showing an initial peak, and later a stationary period.4. The amount of cellulosan (or associated polysaccharide) in the cellulose increased with development, and markedly so after the point at which growth increments lessened.15. Lignin increased steadily until the last week or so, the fall then probably being due to the increased weight of the grain with respect to the straw.