• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 1996

Epidermal leaf cell phytoliths of 17 species of Oryza were examined with backscattered electron imaging with scanning electron microscopy to determine the usefulness of phytolith morphology for systematic studies. Many kinds of identifiable phytolith morphology are observed in the leaf blades of Oryza. They are different among species as well as between adaxial and abaxial surface and costal and intercostal strip portions of leaf blades. Distinguishing phytolith characters are useful at the level of the section, such as Angustifoliae, Ridleyanae, and Granulatae. The results of a cluster analysis using 21 qualitative characters of phytoliths reveal many taxonomic characteristics which are compatible with current taxonomy.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2011

Phytolith analysis of sediments at the river mouth of valley bottom plains in Myosa-ri, Haman is performed. By the phytolith results, Phragmites and Oryza sativa are dominated in the lower horizon. An abundance of Paniceae and Andropogoneae indicates the active agricultural activities under wet conditions. Moreover, the results of archeological studies suggest the paddy fields in the Three States Age. The phytolith assemblages are dominated in the middle horizon and they gradually increase in the upper horizon. The rice cultivation layer is not proportional to total phytolith yield due to the dominance of Oryza sativa in the lower horizon. However, because the Oryza sativa are continuously observed over the entire sediments, it is suggested that there had been the agricultural activities for the entire periods.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.691-705
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• 2009

Phytolith analysis was made on a 660cm core from Lake Gyeongpo in the East Sea of Korean Peninsula to clarify the environmental change including climate and agricultural characteristics during the Holocene. From the results of phytolith analysis, six phytoliths assemblage zone(PAZ) were recognized from the base to the surface. PAZ I around 5,000 yr BP suggests the transition from the warm and dry to the cool and wet climatic conditions. The climate of PAZ II(ca. 4,000-2,000 BP) was kept on warm, but repeated between dry and wet conditions. PAZ III(2,000~1,000 yr BP) suggests the expansion of agricultural activities under the warm and humid climatic conditions due to the significant phytoliths production of Paniceae and Oryza sativa. While PAZ IV(1,000~500 yr BP) indicates very cool and dry conditions, PAZ V and IV suggest the warm-dry and cool-humid climatic conditions, respectively. Similar to the results of pollen analysis in the lake, the agricultural activities were recognized by PAZ III around 2,000 yr BP from the results of phytolith analysis, and the rice cultivations such as Oryza sativa have been expanded since 2,000 yr BP or later.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Phytolith of soil in earthenware buried in the wooden chamber tombs at the archaeological site in Hwangseong-dong, Gyeongju along Hyeongsan River are analyzed. The study area has adjoined the seat of government during approximately thousand years in Shilla Dynasty and can be regarded as being closely related to the agricultural activities using the floodplains of Hyeongsan River. By the analytical results, Phragmites, Paniceae and Andropogoneae as well as Oryza sativa are found in the lower horizons, indicating the agricultural activities in the nearby areas. It is suggested for understanding the use of earthenware that the comparisons of buried soils in the site and soils in the earthenware and analysis on the macro plant fossils of soil in the earthenware are needed.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.283-305
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• 1992

Phytoliths (plant stones) mean all types of mineral deposition formed in or between plant cells. However, most of the researches on the phytoliths so far have been focused on the opaline silica bodies (silicified phytoliths) formed by grasses. Therefore, the phytolith is usually refered to opaline silica body in a narrow sense. Phytoliths are very useful in grass classification, and their usefulness as microfossils is also proved in several other fields, including soil science, paleoecology, and archaeology. Recently attention has been paid to the possibility that they might function as carcinogen. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the nature and analysis of phytoliths and their applications in botany as well as other fields of sciencess.encess.