Anatomy of two mechanisms of breaking physical dormancy by experimental treatments in seeds of two North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae)

Xiaojie Li, Jerry M. Baskin, Carol C. Baskin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Anatomy of the endocarp was studied in relation to the physical dormancy-breaking mechanisms in experimentally treated Rhus aromatica var. aromatica and R. glabra germination units, which include seed plus endocarp (hereafter seeds). The endocarp has three distinct layers, with brachysclereids on the outside, osteosclereids in the middle, and macrosclereids on the inside. Brachysclereids in the carpellary micropyle region (i.e., region immediately adjacent to the integumentary micropyle) are shorter than those in other parts of the endocarp, and the macrosclereids in this region are not elongated. Thus, a weak point is formed in the endocarp. Concentrated sulfuric acid broke seed dormancy in R. aromatica by eroding the brachysclereids and osteosclereids in the carpellary micropyle region, whereas boiling water broke dormancy in seeds of R. glabra by inducing a blister adjacent to the carpellary micropyle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1505-1511
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Botany
Volume86
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

Bibliographical note

Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Anacardiaceae
  • Dormancy break
  • Endocarp anatomy
  • Rhus aromatica
  • Rhus glabra

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Genetics
  • Plant Science

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