不同玉米自交系耐深播能力鉴定及对深播胁迫的生理响应

对12个玉米自交系深播后出苗能力的鉴定结果表明,玉米自交系3681-4具有较强的耐深播能力。进一步相关分析表明,玉米耐深播的主要原因是其中胚轴显著伸长。不同温度对所有的玉米中胚轴的伸长均有影响,且低温抑制中胚轴的伸长。激素测定结果表明,深播处理后,中胚轴部位GA₃和IAA含量均得到显著提高,分别增加了19.0%和50.9%。GA₃和IAA处理后,中胚轴部位GA₃和IAA的含量分别提高了25.1%和14.7%。深播、GA₃、IAA处理后,中胚轴细胞均显著伸长,细胞长度分别增加26.2%、83.4%、51.2%,但处理后细胞数目变化均不大。     

Responses of the First Internodes of Hong Mang Mai Wheat to Ethylene,Gibberellins and Potassium

Abstract

Seedlings of Hong Mang Mai wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) emerge from much deeper in the soil than do other cultivars by elongating their first internode. We examined the roles of ethylene, gibberellins (GA) and potassium in the elongation of the first internode in wheat cultivars. Although ethylene stimulated the elongation of the first internode of Hong Mang Mai in the dark, the ethylene evolution and the expression level of ethylene-receptor-like gene of this cultivar were not greater than those of other cultivars.

In Hong Mang Mai, gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) substantially stimulated the elongation of the first internode in the dark. Maximum elongation of the first internode was obtained by GA₃ at the concentrations of 2.89 × 10^–6 to 2.89 × 10^–7 M. This cultivar responded markedly to gibberellins A₁ and A₃ by elongating the first internode in the dark. A mixture of gibberellins A₄ and A₇ (GA₄₊₇) was not effective in inducing the elongation. Haruhikari, a cultivar having no GA -insensitive-reducing-height (Rht) genes, substantially responded to GA₃, but other cultivars did not. The differences in the sensitivity to GA could account, at least in part, for the varietal differences in the elongation of the first internode in wheat. Takune-komugi, a cultivar whose first internode elongates in response to ethylene, did not respond to GA₃. Thus, there are different mechanisms for the GA- and ethylene-stimulated elongation of the first internode in wheat.

Also, it was suggested that potassium uptake from the soil might function together with endogenous GA in inducing the elongation of the first internode in Hong Mang Mai wheat.     

Optimization for enzyme-retting of flax with pectate lyase

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an important commercial crop that supplies both linseed and bast fibers for multiple applications. Retting, which is a microbial process, separates industrially useful bast fibers from non-fiber stem tissues. While several methods (i.e., water- and dew-retting) are used to ret flax, more recently enzymes have been evaluated to replace methods used currently. Alkaline pectate lyase (PL) from the commercial product BioPrep 3000 and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) from Mayoquest 200 as a calcium chelator were used in various formulations to ret flax stems. Retted stems were then mechanically cleaned through the USDA Flax Fiber Pilot Plant and passed through the Shirley Analyzer. The PL and chelator effectively retted flax from both fiber flax and linseed stems, and the use of enzyme plus chelator retted flax stems better than either component alone. Fiber yield and strength were greater than retting with a mixed-enzyme product that contained cellulases. Retting with PL and chelator was optimized based on fine-fiber yield, remaining shive content, and fiber properties. PL at levels of about 2% of the commercial product for 1 h at 55 °C followed by treatment with 18 mM EDTA for 23–24 h at 55 °C provided the best fibers based on these criteria. Yield and fiber properties determined by these tests were not improved with PL levels of 5% of the commercial product.     

玉米光温敏无雄穗系植株多种植物激素含量的动态变化

以玉米光温敏无雄穗系I17及其正常系N17植株为试验材料,在春季和秋季种植条件下分别测定叶片与雄穗中生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA3)和玉米素(ZT)的含量,研究植物激素对玉米光温敏无雄穗系植株雄穗发生及其育性的影响。结果表明,春季种植的无雄穗系I17与正常系N17的叶片和雄穗中IAA、GA3、ZT和ABA含量没有明显差异;秋季种植的无雄穗系I17叶片中IAA、GA3和ZT含量在苗期、抽雄期及花粒期均显著低于正常系N17,ABA含量显著高于N17。在植物激素平衡方面,秋季种植的无雄穗系I17叶片中IAA/ABA、GA3/ABA及ZT/ABA的比值均显著低于正常系N17的相应值。IAA、GA3和ZT的严重亏损与ABA的过量积累是引起玉米无雄穗的重要原因之一。     

受GA3诱导的一个水稻伸长相关基因的初步鉴定

 采用mRNA 差异显示技术对受GA₃ 诱导的水稻伸长相关基因进行了分离和鉴定。经100 个引物组合差异显示,在获得21 个受GA₃ 诱导表达的cDNA 片段的基础上, 对其中的GA 15b 片段克隆进行了序列测定。其序列经国际联网BLAST 查询表明GA 15b 为伸展蛋白类似蛋白的候选基因片段。定量PCR 进一步确证GA 15b 受GA₃ 所诱导。Southern 杂交表明GA 15b 以多拷贝形式存在。     

Accumulation of cadmium by flax and linseed cultivars in field-simulated conditions: A potential for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soils

The possibility of use of two technological types of Linum usitatissimum L., namely flax (grown for fibre) and linseed (grown for seed), for phytoextraction of cadmium (Cd) from Cd-contaminated soil was studied. A four-year field-simulated experiment was carried out with 6 flax and 4 linseed cultivars in order to study organ accumulation of Cd by flax and linseed plants at artificial concentration range 10-1000 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil. The most Cd was accumulated by roots, followed by shoots, while reproductive parts (capsules and seeds) played comparably smaller role. The increasing soil Cd concentration resulted in increasing Cd accumulation by roots, while transport to above-ground plant parts was progresivelly inhibited. Even high soil Cd concentrations (1000 mg Cd kg⁻¹ soil) had not dramatic negative effect on plant growth and development. Cultivar differences as well as the differences between both technological Linum types have been found in Cd accumulation (flax being better Cd accumulator than linseed). Nevertheless, the recorded variation between technological types and within cultivars is in multiples of Cd values (units of mg Cd kg⁻¹ DW), not in orders of magnitude as needed for practical phytoextraction. A significant year-to-year effect on plant growth/development resulting in high variation in Cd accumulation was observed. Flax cv. Jitka exhibited good transport of Cd from roots to above-ground parts, while flax cv. Merkur showed high retention of Cd in roots. Further, the contrasting cultivars in total Cd accumulation (high accumulating flax cv. Jitka versus low accumulating linseed cv. Jupiter) were selected for future experiments. The uptake of Cd by flax/ linseed from ha per season was calculated and the strategy for flax/linseed growing on heavy metal polluted soils with subsequent utilization of heavy metal-contaminated biomass is discussed.     

Gibberellin-deficient dwarfs in potato vary in exogenous GA3 response when thega 1 allele is in different genetic backgrounds

Gibberellins (GAs) are involved in internode elongation and other important processes such as seed germination, flowering, maturation, tuberization, and tuber dormancy. The discovery of GA-deficient mutants enabled further study of the role of these hormones in many plant processes. GA-deficient mutants lack the ability to produce adequate amounts of gibberellin for normal growth, resulting in a rosette type growth and short internodes. Thega ₁ mutant allele was introduced into various genetic backgrounds including differentSolanum species and ploidies. Diploid GA-deficient genotypes were obtained by crossing haploidSolanum tuberosum ssp.andigena withSolanum chacoense. The progeny was then bulked and intermated to produce F₂ individuals. Tetraploid GA-deficient genotypes were obtained by crossingS. tuberosum ssp.andigena withSolanum sucrense and withSolanum gourlayi. The two resulting progenies were then bulked and intermated. Diploid and tetraploid GA-deficient genotypes were grown on MS media containing different levels of gibberellin (GA₃). Plant height and visual observations were made as a way to assess the response of these genotypes to GA₃. Concentration of 0.1 µM GA₃ and lower failed to restore normal plant height in both diploid and tetraploid genotypes. Normal plant height was restored in most of the GA-deficient genotypes when concentrations between 0.8 and 1.2 µM GA₃ were used. We found some important differences between these genotypes: (1) the level of GA₃ to restore normal plant height varies among the GA-deficient genotypes, some needed more GA₃ than others to grow normally; (2) the time to respond to the presence of GA₃ in the media differs between the GA-deficient genotypes, (3) tetraploid genotypes exhibited normal growth and internode length in response to GA₃, while diploid genotypes tended to show a rosette-type growth at the apical end. These results suggest thatga ₁ mutants can be affected by a series of modifier genes and/or iso-alleles. The importance of variable response to GA among dwarf individuals is two fold: (1) experiments measuring GA response should choose and clonally multiply one genotype to ensure uniform optimal response to GA application; and (2) variation betweenga ₁ mutant phenotypes could be used to characterize GA-response modifier genes.     

Dry gibberellic acid combined with talc or fir bark enhances early stem and tuber growth of Shepody potato

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) powder was applied to seed pieces of Shepody potato in combination with water, fir bark and talc carriers. In a greenhouse study, emergence, stem growth and tuber number from seed pieces treated with dry GA₃ and carriers were compared with that of an untreated control. All carriers alone reduced stem emergence. GA₃ (0.5,1 and 2 mg/ kg) combined with talc, and 0.5 and 2 mg GA₃/kg with fir bark+talc enhanced emergence. Only 2 mg GA₃/kg enhanced emergence when applied in solution. Emergence of stems from pieces treated with GA₃ and fir bark was no different or slower than the control. In the absence of GA₃, water and talc increased stem number and fir bark-containing treatments reduced tuber number. All concentrations of GA₃ applied with talc or fir bark+talc, and 2 mg GA₃/kg with fir bark increased stem and tuber number. With water, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg GA₃/kg increased stem number but only 2 mg GA₃/ kg resulted in more tubers. One and 2 mg GA₃/kg combined with talc resulted in the most stems and tubers 58 days after planting. GA₃ was as effective or more effective in speeding emergence and increasing stem and tuber number when applied in the dry form with talc or fir bark+talc as when applied in solution.     

Retardation of shoot growth and promotion of tuber growth of potato plants by paclobutrazol

The relationship between shoot growth and tuber yield in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Russet Burbank) was studied under greenhouse conditions using paclobutrazol [(2R,3R + 2S,3S)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(l,2-4-triazol-l-yl)-pentan-3-ol), PP333], a growth retardant. Concurrent with reduction of stem elongation by the application of paclobutrazol to base of the main stem was a decrease in the dry weight of the shoot and an increase in the dry weight of the tuber. The inhibitory effect of paclobutrazol on stem elongation was reversed by gibberellic acid A₃ (GA₃). Leaf content of raffinose sugar and chlorophyll increased upon paclobutrazol treatment.     

普通小麦品种陕农33矮秆突变体的矮化效应分析

为了解普通小麦品种陕农33矮秆突变体的矮化原因,通过农艺性状调查、茎秆细胞学观察、苗期赤霉素（GA）反应试验、内源激素含量测定和矮秆基因检测,分析了陕农33的13个矮秆突变体植株生长发育、茎秆解剖特征及对GA的敏感性。结果表明,与野生型陕农33相比,矮秆突变体的株高都显著下降,株高的下降与节间数无关,主要是由于节间长度的缩短,其中穗下节和第四节间的降秆效应较大。经进一步细胞学观察,突变体变矮是由茎秆细胞长度减少和细胞变小共同引起的,其中细胞长度减少是主因。从苗期植株对GA₃的反应看,13个矮秆突变体属于赤霉素不敏感型或弱敏感型,说明赤霉素转导途径存在问题,即矮秆突变位点可能在赤霉素转导途径上。从内源激素测定结果看,13个矮秆材料中只有1个材料的茎秆GA₃含量较陕农33略降,其余均增加,而CTK含量均减少,10个材料的IAA含量增加,说明这些材料的株高下降与赤霉素等内源激素代谢变化密切相关。通过矮秆基因检测,13个矮秆突变体和陕农33均含有目前应用范围较广的 Rht-D1b基因,只有两个矮化材料含有 Rht-B1b,因而推测矮秆突变体可能还含有其他致矮相关的基因。     

Influence of agronomic factors on yield and quality of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibre and implication for an innovative production system

Research and development of an innovative production system for hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibre for textile use requires the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge from cultivation technique to realization of end products. Research was carried out to study the effect of the agronomic factors cultivation year (2003–2004), genotype (Futura 75 and Tiborszallasi), plant population (120, 240 and 360 plants m⁻²) and harvesting time (beginning and full flowering) on fibre yield and quality in the whole hemp stem, and in the basal and apical stem portions separately. The study of separate stem portions was done to determine the effect on fibre quality of an innovative harvesting and processing system in which hemp stems are cut in two portions of approximately 1 m at harvest to enable processing on modern flax scutching lines.     

高效液相色谱法测定玉米内源激素方法的改进研究

以玉米植株为材料,对提取、纯化和利用高效液相色谱法分析测定玉米植株中内源激素生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA3)和玉米素(ZT)的含量的方法进行改进。针对玉米植株的糖分、叶绿素含量高等特点,对以往的HPLC分析植物内源激素的植物材料前处理方法进行改进。试材用液氮研磨以80%预冷的甲醇浸提,浸提液利用旋转蒸发仪浓缩、石油醚去除色素、乙酸乙酯提取激素、PVP 去除酚类杂质,最后用0.45 um微孔滤膜抽滤,紫外检测器在254 nm波长下检测吸收波长,以甲醇和水位流动相,利用高效液相色谱法检测内源激素含量,回收率分别为IAA 93.79%±7.43%,ABA 95.79%±6.14%,GA388.63%±6.31%,ZT 89.69%±7.34%。     

干旱胁迫下小麦颖果内源激素的变化及其与胚乳发育的关系

为探明干旱胁迫下小麦颖果内源激素与胚乳发育的关系,以小麦品种扬麦16为材料,在幼苗返青至颖果成熟阶段进行干旱处理,采用树脂切片及显微摄影等技术观察小麦颖果和胚乳细胞发育的形态结构特征,并通过酶联免疫吸附法测定颖果生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA_3、GA_4)、玉米素核苷(ZR)、二氢玉米素核苷(DHZR)的含量。结果显示,干旱胁迫缩短了小麦颖果发育进程,促进颖果早衰,导致颖果发育不良;显著降低了籽粒千粒重、可溶性糖含量和总淀粉含量,提高了蛋白质含量;促进颖果发育早期胚乳细胞分裂和淀粉积累,抑制了发育后期胚乳细胞的分裂、体积扩大和淀粉体充实,并提高了颖果整个发育过程中胚乳蛋白体的积累;提高了颖果发育前期IAA、GA_3、GA_4、ZR和DHZR的含量,ABA含量在整个发育时期均较高。说明干旱胁迫能通过影响颖果内源激素的积累来调控胚乳发育。     

The effect of growth regulators on meristem tip development and in vitro multiplication ofSolanum tuberosum L. plants

Summary We studied the effect of β-indoleacetic acid (IAA), α-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), kinetin (K), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) on development of isolated meristems of four potato cultivars (subsp. tuberosum). GA₃ had a stimulating effect on in vitro meristem growth. The differences among the cultivars are presented. K+IAA+GA₃ induced formation of multiple shoots. We describe a method of continual plant multiplication under in vitro conditions and propose the produce for maintenance, multiplication and virus eradication of potato germplasm and cultivars.

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Zusammenfassung Von vier Kartoffelsorten (Blanik, Cira, Nora und Radka) wurden die Meristemspitzen entnommen. Der N?hrboden enthielt Makround Mikroelemente gem?ss Murashige & Skoog (1962), Vitamine entsprechend B-5 (Gamborg et al., 1968), 100mg/l Inositol, 30 g/l Saccharose und 8 g/l Agar. Wir untersuchten die Wirkung von β-Indolessigs?ure (IAA), α-Naphytlessigs?ure (NAA), Kinetin (K), 6-Benzylaminopurin (BAP) und Gibberellins?ure (GA₃). Auf den N?hrb?den mit IAA und NAA wurde mangelhaftes Triebwachstum und unvollst?ndige Blattentwicklung (Abb. 1) festgestellt; die Pflanzen konnten nicht in Erde versetzt werden. K (0.1 μM) induzierte vollst?ndige Pflanzenentwicklung (Tabelle 1), w?hrend BAP (0,1μM) die Triebenentwicklung anregte, worauf die Bewurzelung auf N?hrboden mit 0,1 μM IAA (Abb. 2) erfolgte. Alle GA₃-Konzentrationen hatten einen vorteilhaften Einfluss auf die Entwicklung von Pfl?nzchen aus Meristemspitzen (Abb. 1 und Tabelle 1). Optimales Wachstum und rasche Entwicklung der Pflanzen aller vier Sorten wurde mit dem N?hrboden mit IAA+K+GA₃ erreicht. Mehrfache Triebbildung erfolgte auf den Medien mit erh?hten GA₃-Konzentrationen (5 und 10 μM), speziell bei den Sorten Cira und Blanik (Abb. 3). Die Pflanzen aus der Meristemspitzenkultur konnten unter sterilen Bedingungen in Perlit, das mit der Hoagland's-L?sung und mit einem Zusatz von 0,1 μM IAA ges?ttigt war, fortlaufend vermehrt werden. Die Pflanzen entwickeln sich aus Achselknospen. Ein Steckling aus einem Meristem ist f?hig, 5–8 Pflanzen in zwei Monaten hervorzubringen. Der Artikel beschreibt das System der mehrfachen Triebbildung und die laufende Fortpflanzung in vitro zur Erhaltung und Vermehrung von Kartoffel-Keimplasma (Westcott et al., 1977) und virusfreien Züchtungen (Abb. 4).

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Résumé Des méristèmes apicaux ont été prélevés sur quatre variétés de pommes de terre: Blanik, Cira, Nora et Radka. Le milieu de culture contenait des macro-et microéléments d'après les indications de Murashige & Skoog (1962), des vitamines B-5 (d'après Gamborg et al., 1968), 100 mg/l d'inositol, 30 g/l de sucrose et 8 g/l d'agar. Nous avons étudié l'action de l'acide β-indoleacetic (IAA), de l'acide α-naphtylacétique (NAA), de la kinétine (K), de la 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) et de l'acide gibberellic (GA₃). Sur les milieux contenant de l'IAA et du NAA, nous avons observé un développement imparfait des pousses, et un développement partiel des feuilles (fig. l); les plantes ne pouvaient pas être transplantées en terre. K (0,1 μM) a induit un développement complet des plantes (tableau 1) tandis que le BAP (0,1 μM) a stimulé le développement des pousses suivi de leur enracinement dans le milieu contenant 0,1 μM d'IAA (fig. 2). Toutes les concentrations de GA₃ ont eu un effet bénéfique sur le développement des plantules issues de méristèmes apicaux (fig. 1 et tableau 1). La croissance optimale et le développement rapide des plantes des 4 variétés ont été observés sur le milieu contenant IAA+K+GA₃. Des pousses multiples se sont formées sur les milieux contenant des concentrations élevées en GA₃ (5 et 10 μM), notamment sur les variétés Cira et Blanik (fig. 3). Les plantes obtenues à partir de culture de méristèmes apicaux ont p? être continuellement propagées en conditions stériles dans de la perlite saturée d'une solution de Hoagland avec addition de 0,1 μM de IAA. Les plantes se développent à partir des bourgeons axillaires; une plantule d'origine méristématique est capable de donner naissance à 5 à 8 plantes en 2 mois. L'article décrit le système de formation des pousses multiples et la propagation continue in vitro pour la maintenance et la multiplication de variétés de pommes de terre indemnes de maladies (Westcott et al., 1977) et de virus (fig. 4).

     

中国农业科学院麻类研究所科学研究回顾与展望

本文较全面地回顾了中国农业科学院麻类研究所科研成就:苎麻、亚麻、黄/红麻新品种的选育与推广;麻类及同类纤维种质资源研究;麻类种植技术研究;麻类加工技术与加工机具的研究与推广;麻类生物脱胶与产品加工研究,特别是纤维质生产乙醇及环保型麻地膜的研究。本文还分析了未来该所麻业发展的走向:从麻类作物拓展到纤维植物;加工手段从农业微生物拓展到酶制剂;产品从传统的纺织原料拓展到生物能源与生物材料。     

红麻茎发育的解剖研究初报

本文是对红麻茎发育进行解剖研究的结果。研究表明:红麻茎韧皮纤维层、木质部的发育均以旺长期最快;束纤维横切面积是后分化大于先分化的纤维束,而单纤维横切面积则是先分化大于后分化的纤维;红麻茎木质部发育的速度往往数倍于韧皮部;不同肥料对麻茎生长的影响,N肥以生长前期影响最大,而K肥对麻茎发育的影响以旺长期效果最为明显,作为选纸原料的红麻更应重施K肥。     

Hormonal changes in grains of cv. Triumph and its mutant TL43 as affected by nitrogen fertilizer at heading time

A pot experiment was conducted to study the hormonal changes during the grain filling stage in barley lines of Triumph and its mutant TL43 with or without nitrogen fertilizer at heading time. The ABA, ZR and IAA contents in grains were higher under nitrogen treatment (HN) for both genotypes at 30 days post anthesis (DPA). No genotypic differences were observed in GA₃, ABA and IAA content over the grain filling stage and ZR content on 10 DPA exhibited the major difference, which might be associated with the decrease of A-type starch granules in endosperm of TL43. Triumph also showed significantly higher grain weight, lower hordein and glutelin contents than TL43. The changes of these characters might be correlated with the ZR deficiency of TL43 at early grain filling stage.     

除草剂对亚麻幼苗生化指标影响

通过对都尔、精稳杀得、绿黄隆、二甲四氯处理的亚麻幼苗生化指标的测定,明确了这四种除草剂对亚麻幼苗的蛋白质、核酸、DNA及其酶的活性的影响。与此同时通过IAA、GA含量的测定明确这四种除草剂对亚麻生长发育及产量影响的机理。     

Influencing seed tuber yield of Ranger Russet and Shepody potatoes with gibberellic acid

Freshly-cut seed pieces of the potato cultivars Ranger Russet and Shepody were dipped in 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/1 Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) prior to planting. GA₃ treatments increased stem and tuber numbers per hill of both cultivars and shifted tuber size profile toward the production of more seed-sized (up to 226 g) tubers and fewer large (greater than 340 g) tubers. The effect of GA₃ on reducing average tuber size was similar for the two cultivars. Total tuber yields were not affected. A 2 mg GA₃/1 seed piece dip decreased the yield of US#1 tubers in Ranger Russet primarily due to a significant increase in yield of tubers less than 226 g. Also, yields of culls were greater after a 1 mg GA₃/1 seed piece treatment, suggesting Ranger Russet is sensitive to this concentration of GA₃. One and 2 mg GA₃/1 seed piece dips to Shepody increased yields of tubers less than 113 g by 93% and reduced the yield of tubers greater than 340 g by 25% to 50%. GA₃ at 1 to 2 mg/1 may be useful in the production of seed potatoes with the cultivar Shepody which tends to produce many large tubers.     

Oil Red as a histochemical stain for natural fibers and plant cuticle

Properties of natural fibers are influenced by the nature of their surface. Oil Red was evaluated as a histochemical stain for the waxy components on the surface of cotton and flax fibers and of plant cuticles. A positive reaction for arachidyl stearate and differential staining of fibers after sequential extraction of fatty acids and alcohols indicated that Oil Red stained wax components in plant materials. For cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibers, Oil Red stained to a greater extent the regions closest to the seed coat, especially at points where fibers attached to the seed coat. Fiber regions at a distance from the seed coats stained irregularly, suggesting that the wax was unevenly distributed. Flax (Linum usitatissimum) bast fibers, in contrast, did not stain with Oil Red, but the protective stem cuticle was intensely stained. The positive histochemical reaction for cuticle identified non-fiber fragments in processed and cleaned flax fibers, thus providing a quick method to detect visually trash components in fiber and products. Likewise, bast fibers from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) did not stain well with Oil Red, whereas the stem cuticle gave a positive reaction. The general usefulness of Oil Red as a histochemical stain for the plant cuticle was demonstrated in leaves and stems of mature corn (Zea mays) and fresh bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) leaves. Oil Red provides a quick, qualitative histochemical method to demonstrate the wax-containing cuticle in plants.