Abstract

The paper discusses the utility of anatomical structure of the vegetable fibres for the selection and possible genetic improvement of some world fibre crops, mainly bast and leaf fibres. Anatomical structures such as fibre bundle dimensions, surface regularity, fineness, length and breadth of ultimate fibre cells are related to quality performance of fibre crops. On the basis of literature review the authors suggest strongly that anatomical structures of fibres could play an important tool in the genetic improvement of both the quality and yield of world fibre crops. Therefore, concerted research activities should be directed in this direction.