WHEAT MORPHOLOGY

 

 WHEAT MORPHOLOGY

Introduction

It is among the most commonly consumed cereal grains in the world.

Nutrition facts

Wheat mainly consists of carbohydrates but also has average amounts of protein.

Nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces of whole-grain wheat flour;

Calories: 340
Water: 11%
Protein: 13.2 grams
Carbs: 72 grams
Sugar: 0.4 grams
Fiber: 10.7 grams
Fat: 2.5 grams

COMMON NAME:

Wheat

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Triticum aestivum.

CHROMOSOME NUMBER:

The wheat genome is categorized as a hexaploid genome. It has 42 chromosomes.

MORPHOLOGY

ROOTS:

Wheat has two types of roots.
1: The seminal roots which arise from seeds.
 2: The nodal roots (adventitious or crown roots) which arise from the lower nodes.

STEM

The stem consists of a series of repeating units or phytomers. Each phytomer potentially
have a node and elongated internodes. The stem beneath the seed head is hollow.

LEAVES

Each leaf consists of the sheath which is a wrapping around the subtending leaf and a lamina (blade). At the junction of the sheath and lamina, there are the ligule and the auricles. Ligule is membranous structure and is of medium length. The auricle is a pair of small, blunt and hairy structure.

TYPE OF SEED:

It is a monocot plant.

INFLORESCENCE:

At the floret differentiation stage, wheat develop a young spike. The wheat inflorescence consists of spikelets that are attached at nodes. At the shoot terminal, an ear or spike is present which bear approximately 20 spikelets.

SEED:

The wheat’s seed grain or kernel is a dry indehiscent fruit.

TYPE OF CROP

It is a rabbi crop.

FORM OF SEED

Seed of wheat consist of awn.

ROWS OF SPIKELETS:

The wheat spikelets are arranged as two opposite rows on the rachis, the main axis. Each spikelet consists of florets joined at the indeterminate spikelet axis (rachilla), alternately on opposite sides.