Functional morpho-anatomy of water-gap complexes in physically dormant seed

Robert L. Geneve, Carol C. Baskin, Jerry M. Baskin, K. M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya, Nalin S. Gama-Arachchige

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Physical dormancy (PY) occurs in at least 18 angiosperm plant families and is caused by water-impermeable palisade cells in seed (or fruit) coats. Breaking of PY involves disruption or dislodgement of water-gap structures causing the seeds/fruits to become water permeable (non-dormant). The water-gap region is a morphologically distinct area of the seed or fruit coat that forms a water-gap complex. The location, anatomy, morphology and origin of water-gaps can differ between and even within families and genera. Water-gap structures sense environmental conditions that allow seeds with PY to become permeable just prior to the commencement of conditions favourable for germination and plant establishment. There are three basic water-gap morpho-anatomies characterized by the way the water-gap opens: Type-I, Type-II and Type-III. In Type-I water-gaps, specific kinds of cells pull apart to form a surface opening, while in Type-II a portion of the surface structure is pulled away from adjacent cells, opening the water-gap. Type-III is the least common type and has a circular, plug-like structure that is dislodged, whereby water entry occurs. In addition, water-gap complexes are either simple or compound, depending on whether only a single primary water-gap structure is involved in dormancy release or an additional secondary water-gap structure opens, permitting water entry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)186-191
Number of pages6
JournalSeed Science Research
Volume28
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Cambridge University Press 2018.

Keywords

  • imbibition
  • morphology
  • physical dormancy
  • seed coat
  • seed dormancy
  • water-gap
  • water-impermeable seed coat

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Plant Science

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