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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2018

Robert L. Geneve ,
Carol C. Baskin ,
Jerry M. Baskin ,
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya  and
Nalin S. Gama-Arachchige
Robert L. Geneve*
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Carol C. Baskin
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA Departmentof Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Jerry M. Baskin
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
K.M.G. Gehan Jayasuriya
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Nalin S. Gama-Arachchige
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
*
Author for correspondence: Robert L. Geneve Email: RGeneve@uky.edu
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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.

Keywords

imbibitionmorphologyphysical dormancyseed coatseed dormancywater-gapwater-impermeable seed coat
Type
Review Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 28 , Special Issue 3: Seeds as Systems , September 2018 , pp. 186 - 191
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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