Fig. 5
Lignin localized in stem was histologically analyzed. Stems of Petunia x hybrida ‘Mitchell Diploid’ (MD) and ir-PhCSE plants, were treated with 1% phloroglucinol with 50% HCl. Lignin was stained reddish in cross-sections of stems (A&B). Thickness of lignin layers of stem cross-sections were determined using image processing software, ImageJ (C). Regression test showed a significant positive correlation between lignin content in stem and thickness of lignin layer (R2 = 0.8044, P < 0.01) (D). Scale bars indicate 500 μm. Data represent mean ± SD. The means were separated by one-way ANOVA and statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were identified by Tukey’s test. The results were shown by letters to represent differences among groups