A function for the pleurogram in physically dormant seeds

Ailton G. Rodrigues-Junior, Ana Caroline M.P. Mello, Carol C. Baskin, Jerry M. Baskin, Denise M.T. Oliveira, Queila S. Garcia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Aims Different structures have been shown to act as a water gap in seeds with physical dormancy (PY), and in Fabaceae they are commonly located in the hilar region. However, the function of the pleurogram, a structure in the extra-hilar region that is common in legume seeds, remains unknown. Our aims were to review the literature for occurrence of the pleurogram in Fabaceae, determine if the pleurogram can open, and compare the functional morpho-anatomy of water gaps in seeds of 11 Senna species. • Methods Imbibition tests showed that all 11 species had PY. Structural features of the hilar and extra-hilar regions of the seeds were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy, and dye-tracking was performed to trace the pathways of water through the seed coat. • Key Results A pleurogram has been reported for 37 legume genera. Water gaps differed among Senna species, with lens, hilum, micropyle and pleurogram taking up water after PY was broken. In Senna alata seeds, only the pleurogram acted as a water gap, whereas in S. reniformis and S. silvestris water entered the seed through both the pleurogram and the hilar region. In the pleurogram of S. alata and S. reniformis, the palisade layer moved outward, exposing the hourglass cells, whereas in S. silvestris the palisade layer was broken. • Conclusions The pleurogram acts as a water gap in some of the 11 Senna species examined, but it is non-functional in others. Opening the pleurogram occurs due to the formation of a linear slit in the palisade layer. The pleurogram is of functional significance by creating a wide opening, whereby water can reach the embryo and start germination. This is the first report of the pleurogram functioning as a water gap. Because this structure is shared by at least 37 genera, it also may be a water gap in many other legume species.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbermcy222
Pages (from-to)867-876
Number of pages10
JournalAnnals of Botany
Volume123
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 20 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank MSc. Josimar P. Santos, Dr Yule R. F. Nunes, Dr Luís F. Daibes and Rede de Sementes (Projeto de Integração do São Francisco - Núcleo de Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental da Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco) for providing seeds for this study and the Center of Microscopy at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (http://www.microscopia.ufmg.br) for providing the equipment and technical support for electron microscopy. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001. D.M.T.O. (process 308117/2014-0) and Q.S.G. (process 304387/2016-9) thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for the research grants. This work was funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (process CRA-APQ-02038-16).

Funding Information:
We would like to thank MSc. Josimar P. Santos, Dr Yule R. F. Nunes, Dr Lu?s F. Daibes and Rede de Sementes (Projeto de Integra??o do S?o Francisco - N?cleo de Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental da Universidade Federal do Vale do S?o Francisco) for providing seeds for this study and the Center of Microscopy at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (http://www.microscopia.ufmg.br) for providing the equipment and technical support for electron microscopy. This study was financed in part by the Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. D.M.T.O. (process 308117/2014-0) and Q.S.G. (process 304387/2016-9) thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico (CNPq) for the research grants. This work was funded by Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (process CRA-APQ-02038-16).

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2018.

Keywords

  • Dormancy release
  • Extra-hilar water gap
  • Hilum
  • Lens
  • Micropyle
  • Physical dormancy
  • Pleurogram function
  • Senna

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science

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