Seed Surface Micro Morphological Features of the Holoparasitic Angiosperm Aeginetia spp. (Orobanchaceae) in South India

  • Dr. M.C. Thriveni Plant Parasite Interaction Laboratory Department of Studies in Botany University of Mysore, Manasagangotri Mysuru- 570 006 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7731-8311
  • Dr. C.R. Vijay Maharani's Science College for Women JLB Road Mysuru
  • Prof. G.R. Shivamurthy
Keywords: Aeginetia Spp., Orobanchaceae, Root parasite, SEM studies, Seed coat morphology

Abstract

The seed surface features of three Indian species of the genus Aeginetia (Orobanchaceae) was studied at the light microscopic and Scanning Electron Microscopic level to understand the comparative morphology of the seed coat surface, and its utilization as a source to taxonomic evidence at the species level. The seeds of the three taxa show marked differences in their size, shape and surface ornamentation. Although Aeginetia pedunculata and Aeginetia sessilis show resemblances in their morphological and floral characters but differ in their seed coat sculpture. In A. indica the cells of the seed coat are alveolar and look like empty bunch of baskets with ribbed to scalariform thickenings on their lateral walls. In A. pedunculata outer tangential walls are retained but for a central ovoid depression or pore. In A. sessilis, however, the cells of the seed coat surface have a shallow depression. The micropylar end of the seed is smooth surfaced without any ornamentation. The comparative morphology of the seed coat surface in these three species of Aeginetia is discussed and its use as a source of taxonomic evidence is presented. 

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Published
2017-03-31
Section
Research Papers