Comparative leaf anatomy of grasses (Poaceae) in faisalabad region of pakistan

Abstract

Grasses are of great importance for sustainable food production in different ecosystems. Leaf anatomical studies of grasses are the indicator for adaptation of grasses in different areas of the world. The present research study was conducted to evaluate the diversity of leaf anatomical adaptations in different grass species from Faisalabad region in Pakistan. Thicker epidermis in Paspaledium flavidium, Setaria pumila and Eleusine indica is the adaptation to survive under water stressed environments such as drought and salinity. Larger cortical cell area in Setaria verticillate, Digitaria sanguinalis and Eleusine indica is a sign of their wide distribution in a variety of environmental conditions. Eragrostis tenella and Desmostachya bipinnata with significantly larger vascular bundle is the better adaption to a variety of environments. Different species of grasses showed variable responses in their anatomical characters. These variations help to evaluate the adaptation of grasses in varying climatic conditions and their ability to tolerate abiotic stress (i.e., drought and salinity) which are common in this region in natural habitats of grasses.