Ultrastructure of Epicuticular Wax in Canola

U ltrastructure of the epicuticular wax of four commercially grown Canadian cultivars of canola (Brassica campestris cvs. Tobin and Candle, B. napus cvs. Altex and W estar) was investigated. Freeze-drying and air-drying methods of specimen preparation for scanning electron microscopy were compared. The freeze-drying method resulted in disruption and possible washing away of wax crystals, whereas there was no visible damage with the air-drying method. The freeze-drying method provided evidence for an amorphous layer of wax beneath the wax crystals. U ltrastruc­ ture of wax in the four cultivars was generally similar. All cultivars had an evenly distributed layer of wax crystals superimposed on an amorphous layer of wax. Some trends such as density of wax on leaves and siliques appeared to be species-specific, whereas density of wax on stems did not. There appeared to be at least three types of wax crystals present. These included plate-like, filamentous, and rod-like crystals. The rods were present singly or in blocks.