Abstract
• Background and Aims: The 'hinged valve gap' has been previously identified as the initial site of water entry (i.e. water gap) in physically dormant (PY) seeds of Geranium carolinianum (Geraniaceae). However, neither the ontogeny of the hinged valve gap nor acquisition of PY by seeds of Geraniaceae has been studied previously. The aims of the present study were to investigate the physiological events related to acquisition of PY and the ontogeny of the hinged valve gap and seed coat of G. carolinianum. • Methods: Seeds of G. carolinianum were studied from the ovule stage until dispersal. The developmental stages of acquisition of germinability, physiological maturity and PY were determined by seed measurement, germination and imbibition experiments using intact seeds and isolated embryos of both fresh and slow-dried seeds. Ontogeny of the seed coat and water gap was studied using light microscopy. • Key Results: Developing seeds achieved germinability, physiological maturity and PY on days 9, 14 and 20 after pollination (DAP), respectively. The critical moisture content of seeds on acquisition of PY was 11 %. Slow-drying caused the stage of acquisition of PY to shift from 20 to 13 DAP. Greater extent of cell division and differentiation at the micropyle, water gap and chalaza than at the rest of the seed coat resulted in particular anatomical features. Palisade and subpalisade cells of varying forms developed in these sites. A clear demarcation between the water gap and micropyle is not evident due to their close proximity. • Conclusions: Acquisition of PY in seeds of G. carolinianum occurs after physiological maturity and is triggered by maturation drying. The micropyle and water gap cannot be considered as two separate entities, and thus it is more appropriate to consider them together as a 'micropyle-water-gap complex'.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 51-64 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Annals of Botany |
Volume | 108 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Sharyn E. Perry, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, for allowing us to use the microtome and tissue-sectioning equipment; and Ms Sharon T. Kester, Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, for helping with sectioning and staining of tissues. This research was supported in part by the Graduate Ribble fund, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky.
Keywords
- Chalaza
- Geranium carolinianum
- maturation drying
- micropyle
- ontogeny
- palisade cells
- physical dormancy
- physiological maturity
- seed coat
- water gap
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Plant Science