The Leaf

• The leaf of the sugarcane plant is divided into two parts:

             a- sheath, b- and blade, separated by a blade joint.

• The sheath completely sheaths the stalk, extending over at least one complete internode.
• The leaves are usually attached alternately to the nodes, thus forming two ranks on opposite sides.
• The mature sugarcane plant has an average total upper leaf surface of about 0.5 square around ten, depending on variety and growing conditions
• A cross-section through the leaf blade would show three principal tissues:

             1) Epidermis,

2) Mesophyll, and

3) Veins or fibrovascular bundles.

                       

                                        Fig: Leaf of sugarcane

• The blade joint is where two wedge-shaped areas called "dewlaps" are found
• The leaf sheath is similar in structure and function to the leaf blade.
• The ligule is a membranous appendage inside of the sheath which separates the sheath from the leaf blade.
• The auricles are ear-shaped appendages located at the upper part of the sheath margin.
• Leaf pubescence is the covering of the various leaf parts with short hairs.