1. Unit 1: Crop Plant Anatomy
CROP PRODUCTION
Unit 1: Crop Plant Anatomy

2. The Study of Anatomy… Agronomists use anatomy to:
Describe and identify plant species
Identify pests
Make management decisions and
Many other purposes
Monocotyledons have 1 seed leaf; also known as grasses
Dicotyledons have 2 seed leaves; also known as broadleaf plants

3. The Plant Cell (p. 2)
Cell wall: protect inner parts; give shape to cell
Plasma membrane: permeable to some materials
Nucleus: contains chromosomes
Ribosomes: protein manufacturing
Endoplasmic reticulum: protein manufacturing

4. The Plant Cell (p. 2) Cytoplasm: contain functioning parts of the cell
Chloroplasts: site of photosynthesis; green in color
Vacuole: storage of wastes; regulates pressure within cell to maintain rigidity

5. The Plant Cell (p. 2)
Mitochondria: anaerobic respiration—main source of energy and metabolic growth
Dictyosome: cell wall formation

6. Seed and Seedling Anatomy
Cereal Caryopsis Anatomy: be able to label each part listed below (p. 3-4)—
Brush
Dent
Pericarp
Aleurone Layer
Endosperm
Scutellum
Black Layer
Coleoptile
Epicotyl
Apical Meristem
Scutellar Node
Radicle
Coleorhiza
Tip

7. Cereal Seed (p. 5) Germination & seedling establishment
Day 0-1: pericarp imbibes water
Day 1-2: coleorhiza elongates
Day 2-4: radicle breaks and becomes anchored into soil; coleoptile elongates
Day 5-7: seminal roots begin development; with radicle they are primary root system

8. Cereal Seed (p. 5)
Day 7-14: mesocotyl elongates; first leaves break through coleoptile; turn green and begin photosynthesis
Day 14-21: coronal roots develop just below soil surface; become principle absorbing roots after three weeks; growing point is below soil for 30 days
Class Questions: p. 6-7

9. Seed and Seedling Anatomy
Legume seed anatomy: be able to label each part listed below (p. 7-8)—
Pod
Micropyle
Hypocotyl
Embryo area
Hilum
Radicle
Epicotyl
Testa
Cotyledon

10. Legume Seed (p. 9) Germination & seedling establishment
Day 0-2: testa imbibes water; hormones stimulate radicle growth
Day 3-4: hypocotyl pulls cotyledons toward soil surface
Day 4-6: hypocotyledonary arch straightens as seedling emerges; testa falls off; branch roots develop

11. Legume Seed (p. 9)
Day 6-12: cotyledons unfold; begin photosynthesis until 1st leaves unfold
Day 12-18: trifoliate leaves unfold; first root nodules form, containing rhizobium bacteria to fix nitrogen; apical and axillary buds lead to vegetative growth
Class Questions: p

12. Plant Leaves (p. 11) Leaf Anatomy
Veining—parallel (grasses) and netted-veined (broadleaves)

13. Plant Leaf Anatomy (Cont’d)
Cross section (p. 12)
Cuticle
Epidermis
Mesophyll (palisade and spongy parenchyma layers)
Vascular bundle (xylem and phloem)
Bundle sheath
Stoma
Bulliform cells
Cross section of corn (Zea mays) leaf; vascular bundle from corn leaf

14. Plant Leaves Grass Leaf Morphology— identify grass leaf parts (p. 14)
Ligules
Leaf buds
Sheath
Midrib
Rhizome
Auricles
Seedhead
Node
Tiller
Collars
Spikelet
Blade
Stolon

15. Plant Leaves Legume Leaf Morphology—identify legume leaf parts (p. 15)
Leaflet
Petiole
Petiolule
Stipule

16. Plant Stems (p. 16) Functions of stems: Conduct water and minerals
Conduct synthesized food
Support stem, leaves, and flowers
Store food materials
Manufacture carbohydrates
Asexually propagate new plants

17. Plant Stems (p. 16) Stem Anatomy—vascular bundle arrangements
Dicot—bundles arranged in a ring on the cambium around the pith
Stalk—bundles scattered throughout ground parenchyma (corn, sorghum, sugar cane)
Culm—bundles scattered in a ring; hollow center (wheat, rye, oats, and barley)

18. Plant Stems Modified stems (p. 18): Stolons—above soil surface
Rhizomes—below soil surface
Tubers—enlarged underground stem
Haplocorms—enlarged internode at crown

19. Plant Roots (p. 18-19) Functions of roots: Anchor plant
Absorb water and minerals
Transport water and minerals to plant stem
               

20. Plant Roots (p. 19)
Root anatomy: be able to label each part listed below (p. 19)—
Root cap
Zone of maturation
Xylem
Branch root
Zone of cell division
Mature zone
Phloem
Root hairs
Zone of cell elongation
Cortex
Epidermis

21. Plant Roots (p. 20) Root systems: Grasses — Broadleaves —
fibrous root system tap root system

22. Inflorescence (p. 20)
Grass and legume inflorescence—reproductive structure of a plant (be able to label all parts listed)
Seeds are formed from florets which contain reproductive organs
Seeds are economically valuable products
Inflorescence knowledge leads to understanding seed yield and plant reproduction

23. Inflorescence Parts of a grass floret (p. 21): Palea
Stamen (filament and anther)
Lemma
Pistil (stigma, style, and ovary)
Awn

24. Inflorescence Parts of a grass spikelet (p. 21-22): Glume Rachilla
Florets
Awns

25. Inflorescence Parts of a legume flower (p. 23-24): Corolla Calyx
Stamen (filament and anther)
Pistil (stigma, style, and ovary)
Female portion = gynoecium

26. Inflorescence Inflorescence types (p.25-27):
Spike – spikelets attached to central stalk of inflorescence (wheat, rye, and barley)
Raceme – spikelets attached to stalk (rachis) by smaller stalks called pedicels (alfalfa, sweet clover, and soybeans)
Panicle – spikelets pedicels attached to panicle branch, attached to rachis (oats, rice, sorghum, corn tassel)
Head – flowers clustered together; attached to enlarged, shortened receptacle (white & red clover and sunflower)
Umbel – few flowers attached at same point on salk

27. Website resources: Chapter 1 www.cellsalive.com
Chapter 1
Review Questions (p )
Thinker