CELL WALL DEGRADATION IN ENDOSPERM OF BARLEY DURING GERMINATION

Abstract

The breakdown of the endosperm cell walls during germination of barley has been investigated by fluorescence microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The border between cell wall modified and unmodified endosperm is very clear‐cut. Even though fluorescence microscopy of Calcofluor stained sections seems to show the cell wall to be completely degraded, scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal remnants of the cell wall after the front of cell wall degrading enzymes has passed. Ultra‐thin sections indicate that these remnants consist of the middle lamella containing fibrillar material, which is degraded slowly during germination. 1986 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling