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A new procedure for making observations of embryo morphology in dust-like seeds with rigid coats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2007

Clara de Vega  and
Renata Carmo de Oliveira
Clara de Vega*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, Apdo. 1095, 41080-Sevilla, Spain
Renata Carmo de Oliveira
Affiliation:
Institute de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Caixa Postal 593, Uberlândia, MG, 38400-902, Brazil
*
*Correspondence: Email: cvega@us.es
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Abstract

Observing the embryo in dust-like seeds with a rigid coat presents a particular challenge, because it is not possible to use conventional techniques applied to normal-sized seeds. A new combination of softening and clearing techniques, which is remarkably effective for direct observations of embryos in minute seeds, is reported here. Moreover, no special seed treatment is required prior to application of this combination of techniques, and good results are obtained from living and preserved material. Dust-like seeds of Cytinus hypocistis and Cytinus ruber with a rigid coat were treated successively with Franklin's and with Jeffrey's softening fluids, and then with Herr's clearing fluid. The combined action of the two softening fluids caused sufficient seed coat rupture to allow Herr's fluid to clear seed tissues, permitting effective observation of the embryo. This technique should be applicable to a wide range of species with dust-like seeds, and its possibilities for biological studies are numerous.

Keywords

clearing techniqueCytinusdust-like seedsembryo visualizationholoparasitic plantsrigid-coated seeds
Type
In Brief
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , March 2007 , pp. 63 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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