IDENTIFYING PHYTOLITHS PRODUCED BY THE INFLORESCENCE BRACTS OF 3 SPECIES OF WHEAT (TRITICUM-MONOCOCCUM L, T-DICOCCON SCHRANK, AND TRITICUM-AESTIVUM L) USING COMPUTER-ASSISTED IMAGE AND STATISTICAL-ANALYSES

Phytoliths produced by the inflorescence bracts from three species of wheat, Triticum monococcum L., T. dicoccon Schrank., and T. aestivum L ., were analysed using computer-assisted image and statistical analyse s with the intent to develop taxonomic tools to distinguish among the taxa. A classification key and discriminant functions based on signifi cant differences among the morphometry means of the silica cell and de ndriform phytoliths produced by each species were created and tested. The classification key and the discriminant functions proved to be rel iable tools for distinguishing among phytoliths produced in the inflor escence bracts of the three wheats considered. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited