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Relationship of Nitrogen, Crude Fiber, Ether-Soluble Substances, and Mineral Nutrients to Cell Death in Corn Cob Parenchyma Tissue. J. N. BeMiller, Professor of Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Botany, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901; D. C. Johnson(2), and A. J. Pappelis(3). (2)(3)Graduate Assistant, and Associate Professor of Botany, respectively, Department of Chemistry and Botany, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901. Phytopathology 60:513-517. Accepted for publication 20 October 1969. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-60-513.

Various cell constituents were measured before and during the period of cell death in corn (Zea mays) cob parenchyma tissue. It was determined that, since cell elongation and cell death were occurring concurrently, the only valid basis of comparison of cell constituents was on a per cell basis, and all results were reported on that basis. The study period began on the day of silking, and lasted 3 weeks. K, Si, P, Fe, and Co concentrations increased during the 1st week (the period of greatest cell elongation), then decreased slowly as the cells died, to give an over-all increase. There was a continuous accumulation of Sr, Cu, crude fiber, and ether-soluble substances over the study period. Mo increased during the first week, then remained constant. Zn, Ba, and B increased until the 2nd week, when about 85% of the cells were dead; and then decreased. Mg and total N remained constant during the study period.