Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Endosperm of Cereal Crops : 1. Micrographs of Rice, Barley, Oats and Rye

1. Fine structure of the sections of endosperm of rice, barley, oats and rye were observed by scanning electron microscope. 2. Rice starch cells on the centre line in vertical section along lateral diameter of the kernel were almost hexagonal in shape and were regularly arranged. 3. Starch grains of rice are compound grain and each of them is composed of many single grains that are crystal-like polyhedron and crowded regularly. Those of barley and the others are single starch grain of about two types in shape and size. 4. As a result of micrography, scanning electron microscope is very useful for histo-morphological studies of cereal endosperm. (Received June 29, 1973)