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Silicon, oxygen and carbon isotope composition of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) phytoliths: implications for palaeoecology and archaeology
Author(s) -
Hodson Martin J.,
Parker Adrian G.,
Leng Melanie J.,
Sloane Hilary J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of quaternary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.142
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-1417
pISSN - 0267-8179
DOI - 10.1002/jqs.1176
Subject(s) - phytolith , bract , inflorescence , botany , poaceae , silicon , biology , chemistry , horticulture , pollen , organic chemistry
Abstract Six mature wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) plants from one crop were collected one week before harvest, and organs were separated as follows: culm, rachis, leaf sheaths, leaf blades and inflorescence bracts. Percentage silica (% SiO 2 ), % C, % N and δ 13 C were determined in these samples. Phytoliths isolated from the individual organs were subsequently analysed for δ 29 Si, δ 30 Si, and δ 18 O, as well as % C, % N and δ 13 C from occluded organic material within the phytoliths. Percentage silica was highest in the leaf sheaths and leaf blades and lower in the inflorescence bracts, culm and rachis. δ 30 Si and δ 29 Si were highly correlated, and both increased in the upper parts of the plant. It appears there are two routes for Si transport within the plant, and that heavier isotopes increase towards the end of both routes. The δ 18 O results indicate that the culm and the leaf blades were the sites of highest δ 18 O, with lower values in the rachis, leaf sheath and inflorescence. There was no correlation between the accumulation of either heavy silicon isotope ( 29 Si and 30 Si) and heavy oxygen accumulation ( 18 O). δ 13 C values were typical of C3 species, and whole plant and isolated phytolith values were similar. Low % N concentrations were detected in phytoliths. © Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of NERC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.