A quantitative histochemical procedure for measurement of starch in apple fruits.

Measurements of starch (e.g. amyloplasts in stomatal guard cells, sieve elements, root tips or the starch sheath) is often very difficult using most analytical methods. An evaluation was made of interactive computer image analysis of starch measurements in apple fruits. The results obtained indicate that quantitative histochemistry can be an appropriate method to quantify starch. Correlations for starch values between the image analysis system and a colorimetric system were quantified. The thickness of plastic-embedded slices had no influence on the accuracy of the area occupied by image-quantified starch (starch/slice) or on its variance. The magnification of the objective also had no effect on measured starch-occupied areas (starch/slice), but there were big differences in variance. The number of replications required to establish statistically significant differences were calculated.