A typologic and morphometric study of variation in phytoliths from einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum)

Abstract

Variation between phytoliths produced in the laminae, inflorescence bracts, and culms of einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) were examined. Variation in the type of phytoliths produced and in the morphometries of the various types produced was evaluated. Morphometric data were obtained using computer-assisted image analysis. Types of phytoliths produced by various plant tissues included silica cell, large and small prickle, hair cell, trichome base, stomata, sheet element, long cell, and subepidermal cell phytoliths. Laterally dendriform subepidermal cell phytoliths were unique to inflorescence tissue. Long (100–250 μm), sinuate, alate trapezoid phytoliths were unique to lamina tissue. Tukey honestly significant difference comparisons indicated that there are some significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the mean morphometries of silica cell phytoliths produced in the lamina tissue and those produced in the culm and inflorescence tissues. Discriminant functions based on the morphometric data obtained were effective in distinguishing between populations of silica cell phytoliths extracted from each of the plant tissue types. These results suggest that (i) when preparing reference matrial for phytolith analysis, each part of a plant should be sampled and evaluated separately, and (ii) discriminant analysis of morphometric data obtained through image analysis is a potentially valuable research tool for the further development and application of phytolith systematics. Key words: phytoliths, image analysis, Triticum monococcum.