Abstract: In order to observe the microscopic structure and lignin distribution of rice stalks efficiently and conveniently, this study adopted the natural drying-cryo-sectioning method and successfully obtained thin tissue sections. By combining the autofluorescence properties of plants and using confocal microscopy technique, the microscopic structure of rice stalks was observed. This technical method mainly improved the cryosectioning technique for rice stalks. After rice stalks were naturally dried for a certain period of time, they were directly embedded and sectioned. Sections can be prepared with or without safranin staining to obtain microscopic sections with relatively intact structures. Subsequently, ultraviolet light, blue light, and green light were used to excite the autofluorescence of rice stalks, followed by microscopic imaging and photography. The research results showed that the improved cryosectioning technique could produce tissue sections with a thickness of 1 μm and nearly intact cell structures. By using a laser scanning confocal microscope to collect red fluorescence signals excited by green light, the microscopic structure and lignin distribution of rice stalk sections can be observed quickly and clearly. This study provides references for the research on the tissue structures and the exploration of the physiological functions in Poaceae plants.
Key words: rice stalk; cryosection technique; confocal microscopy technique; cellular microstructure; lignin distribution
（Acta Laser Biology Sinica, 2025, 34(4): 304-311）