Stem Epidermal Anatomy of Fourteen Sugarcane Varieties of the Punjab

A comparative study of stem epidermis of fourteen sugarcane varieties (i.e., L-l18, CP72- 2086, CP43-33, HSF-240, CPF-237, SPF-213, COjv-84, CO-1148, COL-54, COL-29, CO-975, BL-4, Triton and BF-162) was carried out using Schultz’s maceration method followed by staining with chloloiodide of Zinc. The results indicated substantial differences among the sugarcane varieties for various stem epidermal cell combinations and structures like number of stomata, number and shape of cork, silica, long, and pointed elongated cork cells. It is therefore contended that the structure of the epidermis in sugar cane can be used as a characteristic of variety differentiation.