22 



COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CEREALS 



The young plumule stretches upward and somewhere just below 

 the surface forms the first node. The first node usually forms about 

 the same distance below the surface, and its height above the seed 

 will depend on how deep the seed is planted (Fig. 9). This first 

 node becomes the crown of the plant and here the permanent roots 

 form. At this point a number of short nodes form and from these 



FIG. 9. (1) Illustrates a young wheat plant forming first permanent roots, near 

 surface of soil. (2) Is an enlarged section with leaves removed to show the "buds" or 

 new tillers forming. (3) Wheat plant about six weeks old with tillers developed. 



the permanent roots come out. The roots are arranged in a series 

 of rings about the base of the plant. Just above the roots come out 

 the first leaves and first buds to form tillers. This is characteristic 

 of all the cereals, but is most easily seen in a corn plant, because of its 

 large size. 



Tillers. If a young plant of corn or wheat be examined when 

 about three weeks old it will usually have about a half dozen leaves 



