Micromorphological variation forage crops of Loliinae subtribe (Poaceae)

Abstract Background: Loliinae subtribe (Poaceae) composed of famous temperate grasses with forage and ornamental importance worldwide. Some elements as Lolium, Festuca and Vulpia are widely used as fodder and ornamental in gardens. In present project micromorphological characters of lemmas and paleas using scanning electron microscopy for 56 taxa of 32 species of Loliinae, have been investigated. In present project micromorphological characters of lemmas and paleas using scanning electron microscopy for 56 taxa of 32 species of Loliinae, have been investigated. By evaluating these set of features in abaxial lemma and palea, we aimed to clarify the taxonomic value in this subtribe for the first time. Other purpose of present study was to assess the impact of silica bodies and epicuticular wax in species for livestock palatability.Results: Features studied including long cells length, long cells shape, periclinal wall of long cells, short cells, silica cells, prickles, prostration of crown cells thin layer of crown cells, macroharis and wax shape. Two new types of lemma and palea micromorphological traits were introduced here. Multivariate data analysis was obtained using PAST software.Conclusions: Lolium temulentum is a toxic weed and recorded as dangerous for livestock because of having increased amount of wax and silica bodies at the vegetative parts. Taxa relationships were discussed based on micromorphological characters and the results were in concordance with the previous molecular findings. Although some genera studied, were not grouped properly.