Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-pfhbr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-15T17:22:46.595Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A preliminary investigation of the development of structural constituents in the barley plant (With three text-figures.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. G. Norman
Affiliation:
(Fermentation Department, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts.)

Summary

1. Barley plants, carefully sampled, were harvested weekly during the season. Growth measurements were made and various analyses carried out on the dried material.

2. Both ash and protein showed an initial increase followed by a steady fall as development proceeded.

3. The Cross and Bevan cellulose fraction, which may be taken as the natural cellulosic fabric of the plant, increased from 30 to 53 per cent., showing an initial peak, and later a stationary period.

4. The amount of cellulosan (or associated polysaccharide) in the cellulose increased with development, and markedly so after the point at which growth increments lessened.1

5. Lignin increased steadily until the last week or so, the fall then probably being due to the increased weight of the grain with respect to the straw.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1933

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

(1)Cross, C. F. and Bevan, E. J.Cellulose. London (1918).Google Scholar
(2)Dustman, R. B. and Schriver, L. C.The chemical composition of Ambrosia trifida at successive growth stages. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. (1931), 23, 190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(3)Hawley, L. F. and Norman, A. G.The differentiation of the hemicelluloses. Ind. Eng. Chem. (1932), 24, 1190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(4)Hawley, L. F. and Wiertelak, J.“Synthetic” lignin. Ind. Eng. Chem. (1931), 23, 184.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(5)Ver Hulst, J. H., Peterson, W. H. and Fred, E. B.The distribution of pentosans in the corn plant at various stages of growth. J. Agric. Res. (1923), 23, 655.Google Scholar
(6)Lawes, J. B. and Gilbert, J. H.On the composition of the ash of wheat grain and wheat straw grown at Rothamsted, in different seasons and by different manures. J. Chem. Soc. (1884), 45, 3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(7)Malhotra, R. C.Notes on the determination of hemicelluloses. Ind. Eng. Chem. (Anal. Ed.), (1931), 3, 161.Google Scholar
(8)Malhotra, R. C.The distribution of some reserve substances in hard winter wheat plants at successive growth stages and their possible utilisation. J. Agric. Sci. (1932), 22, 485.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(9)Newton, R. and Brown, W. R.Seasonal changes in the composition of winter wheat plants in relation to frost resistance. J. Agric. Sci. (1926), 16, 522.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
(10)Ost, H. and Wilkening, L.The conversion of cellulose into sugar. Chem.-Ztg. (1910), 34, 461.Google Scholar
(11)Shaw, R. H. and Wright, P. A.A comparative study of the composition of the sunflower and corn plants at different stages of growth. J. Agric. Res. (1921), 20, 787.Google Scholar
(12)Tippett, L. H.Tables of Random Numbers. Tracts for Computers, No. 15. Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar