Three near isolines of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], glabrous, normal, and dense, were examined by light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy, as well as by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. This was done in order to determine the morphology and possible functions, in addition to conveying insect resistance, of their non-glandular trichomes.

The uppermost fully expanded trifoliate leaf from greenhouse grown juvenile plants was chosen for examination. Fixed tissue was examined by LM, TEM and SEM as previously described. Some tissue was prepared for energy dispersive spectrometry by fixing in glutaraldehyde but omitting osmium. The tissue was then dehydrated, critical point dried, and coated with carbon. Si x-ray maps were made on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of all three biotypes.

LMs of Spurr embedded toluidine blue stained semithin sections of normal (Fig. 1) and glabrous (Fig. 2) trichomes appear similar in structure.