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Physical dormancy in Senna multijuga (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) seeds: the role of seed structures in water uptake

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2014

Ailton G. Rodrigues-Junior ,
José M.R. Faria ,
Tatiana A.A. Vaz ,
Adriana T. Nakamura  and
Anderson C. José
Ailton G. Rodrigues-Junior*
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Sementes Florestais, Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
José M.R. Faria
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Sementes Florestais, Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Technológico (CNPq) researcher
Tatiana A.A. Vaz
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Sementes Florestais, Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
Adriana T. Nakamura
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Anatomia Vegetal, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
Anderson C. José
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Sementes Florestais, Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Caixa Postal 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brasil
*
*Correspondence Email: ailtongrodrigues@gmail.com
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Abstract

Structural studies in seeds with physical dormancy (PY) are important to better understand its causes and release when subjected to treatments for dormancy breaking. The aims of this study were to (1) characterize the PY break; (2) examine the role of different seed structures in water uptake; and (3) identify the water gap in Senna multijuga seeds. Imbibition patterns of dormant and non-dormant (subjected to dormancy breaking treatments) seeds and the morphological changes during dormancy breaking and germination were evaluated. To identify the water gap, the micropyle and lens were blocked separately, and the water absorption by seed parts was determined. Structural characteristics of the seed coat were also examined. Immersion in water at 80°C was efficient in breaking seed dormancy and imbibition occurred first at the hilar region, through the lens. Water was not absorbed through the micropyle or the extra-hilar region. S. multijuga seeds have a testa with a linearly aligned micropyle, hilum and lens. The seed coat consisted of a cuticle, macrosclereids, one (hilar region) or two (extra-hilar region) layer(s) of osteosclereids and parenchyma cell layers. The lens has typical parenchyma cells underneath it and two fragile regions comprised of shorter macrosclereids. Heat treatment stimulated the lens region, resulting in the opening of fragile regions at the lens, allowing water to enter the seeds. It is concluded that short-term exposure to a hot water treatment is sufficient for the formation of a water gap in S. multijuga seeds, and only the lens acts in the imbibition process.

Keywords

imbibitionlensmicropylephysical dormancy breakpleurogramSenna multijugawater impermeability
Type
Research Papers
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , June 2014 , pp. 147 - 157
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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