A TYPOLOGIC AND MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF VARIATION IN PHYTOLITHS FROM EINKORN WHEAT (TRITICUM-MONOCOCCUM)

Variation between phytoliths produced in the laminae, inflorescence br acts, and culms of einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) were examined. Var iation in the type of phytoliths produced and in the morphometries of the various types produced was evaluated. Morphometric data were obtai ned using computer-assisted image analysis. Types of phytoliths produc ed by various plant tissues included silica cell, large and small pric kle, hair cell, trichome base, stomata, sheet element, long cell, and subepidermal cell phytoliths. Laterally dendriform subepidermal cell p hytoliths were unique to inflorescence tissue. Long (100-250 mum), sin uate, alate trapezoid phytoliths were unique to lamina tissue. Tukey h onestly significant difference comparisons indicated that there are so me significant differences (p less-than-or-equal-to 0.05) between the mean morphometries of silica cell phytoliths produced in the lamina ti ssue and those produced in the culm and inflorescence tissues. Discrim inant functions based on the morphometric data obtained were effective in distinguishing between populations of silica cell phytoliths extra cted from each of the plant tissue types. These results suggest that ( i) when preparing reference matrial for phytoliths analysis, each part of a plant should be sampled and evaluated separately, and (ii) discr iminant analysis of morphometric data obtained through image analysis is a potentially valuable research tool for the further development an d application of phytolith systematics.