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.

Simão, E., Nakamura, A.T. & Takaki, M. Harvest period and germination capacity of Tibouchina mutabilis (Vell.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae) seeds. Biota Neotrop. Jan/Apr 2007 vol. 7, no. 1 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n1/pt/abstract?article+bn01507012007 ISSN 1676-0603.An important step for understanding the dynamic of plant species in their environment is the study of their reproductive feature. Tibouchina mutabilis (Vell.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae) is a characteristic species of Serra do Mar, with potential for recovery of degraded areas and with landscaping purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the acquisition of germination capacity of seeds and establishment of the best period for fruit harvest by weekly harvests, when morphological and germination capacity features were observed in four stages of development. The T. mutabilis seeds germinated only under white light. Besides the necessity of light for germination, seeds of T. mutabilis did not show another type of dormancy at the end of the ripening, with high germination percentage. The germination rate increases progressively in the function of lose of moisture in the subsequent stages of development, suggesting that the high moisture was the factor that restricted the germination. The best indicator of physiological maturation of seeds is the natural opening of the capsule. The advantage of this parameter is that it can be widely utilized and it is easy to recognize it. Due to the anemochoric dispersion of seeds, we propose that the harvest must be done, with good results, of fruit with 21 days after anthesis, and drying the fruit for capsule opening for seed extraction.Keywords: seed germination, seed maturation, morphology. ResumoSimão, E., Nakamura, A. O estudo dos aspectos reprodutivos é um importante passo para entendermos a dinâmica das espécies em seu ambiente natural. Tibouchina mutabilis (Vell.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae), espécie característica da Serra do Mar, apresenta potencial para recuperação de áreas degradadas e para fins paisagísticos. Objetivou-se investigar a aquisição da capacidade germinativa das sementes e o estabelecimento da melhor época para colheita de frutos da espécie por meio de coletas semanais, onde as características morfológicas e a capacidade germinativa foram observadas, em quatro estádios de desenvolvimento. A capacidade germinativa foi observada com 14 dias pós-antese e a máxima germinação foi observada aos 21 dias. As sementes T. mutabilis germinaram somente na luz. Além da necessidade da luz para a germinação, as mesmas não apresentaram nenhum tipo de dormência na fase final de maturação, apresentando alta porcentagem de germinação, A velocidade de germinação aumentou progressivamente em função do dessecamento das sementes nas subseqüentes fases avaliadas, sugerindo que a alta umidade foi o fator limitante para a germinação. O melhor indicador de maturação fisiológica e de fácil observação, para a espécie, é o início da abertura natural das cápsulas, entretanto, devido às sementes anemocóricas pequ...

Anther and pollen development were studied in Olyra humilis Nees, Sucrea monophylla Soderstr, (Bambusoideae), Axonopus aureus P. Beauv., Paspalum polyphyllum Nees ex Trin. (Panicoideae), Eragrostis solida Nees, and Chloris elata Desv. (Chloridoideae). The objective of this study was to characterise, embryologically, these species of subfamilies which are considered basal, intermediate and derivate, respectively. The species are similar to each other and to other Poaceae. They present the following characters: tetrasporangiate anthers; monocotyledonous-type anther wall development, endothecium showing annular thickenings, secretory tapetum; successive microsporogenesis; isobilateral tetrads; spheroidal, tricellular, monoporate pollen grains with annulus and operculum. Nevertheless, the exine patterns of the species studied are distinct. Olyra humilis and Sucrea monophylla (Bambusoideae) show a granulose pattern, whereas in the other species, it is insular. In addition, Axonopus aureus and Paspalum polyphyllum (Panicoideae) have a compactly insular spinule pattern, while Chloris elata and Eragrostis solida (Chloridoideae) show a sparsely insular spinule pattern. The exine ornamentation may be considered an important feature at the infrafamiliar level.Keywords: Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Gramineae, microsporogenesis, Panicoideae. Desenvolvimento da antera e do grão de pólen em espécies de Poaceae (Poales)Resumo O desenvolvimento da antera e do grão de pólen de Olyra humilis Nees, Sucrea monophylla Soderstr. (Bambusoideae), Axonopus aureus P. Beauv., Paspalum polyphyllum Nees ex Trin. (Panicoideae), Eragrostis solida Nees and Chloris elata Desv. (Chloridoideae) foi estudado visando caracterizar embriologicamente essas espécies de subfamílias consideradas basal, intermediária e derivada, respectivamente. As espécies são similares entre si e entre as demais Poaceae. Apresentam os seguintes caracteres: anteras tetrasporangiadas; desenvolvimento da parede da antera do tipo monocotiledôneo, endotécio com espessamento de parede anelar, tapete secretor; microsporogênese sucessiva; tétrades isobilaterais; grãos de pólen esféricos, tricelulares, monoporados, com anel e opérculo. Por outro lado, o padrão de ornamentação da exina do grão de pólen é distinto. Olyra humilis e Sucrea monophylla (Bambusoideae) apresentam padrão granuloso e as demais espécies padrão insular. Axonopus aureus e Paspalum polyphyllum (Panicoideae) apresentam espínulos densamente agrupados, enquanto Chloris elata e Eragrostis solida (Chloridoideae) espínulos esparsamente agrupados. A ornamentação da exina dos grãos de pólen pode ser considerada caráter importante a nível infrafamiliar.

No abstract

Swartzia langsdorffii seeds have recalcitrant characteristics. Nonetheless, dispersal begins in the month with the lowest precipitation in the studied region, which could lead to seed death by desiccation. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the physiological behaviour of S. langsdorffii seeds related to their desiccation sensitivity/tolerance; and (2) to assess the morphophysiological characteristics that enable the seeds to remain viable after dispersal. Fruits and seeds were subjected to biometric evaluation and the anatomical and ultrastructural features of the seeds were determined. Field assessments were performed to determine the capacity of the seeds to maintain viability and to verify the relation between seed viability, diaspore water content and environmental variables. Seeds of this species were found to be recalcitrant and showed pores distributed throughout the seed coat, and contained a large number of stomata in the hypocotyl–radicle axis epidermis. Moreover, phenolic compounds were found throughout the radicle region. Seeds remained viable in the soil for up to 7 months after dispersal without a significant decrease in water content, despite the low precipitation and soil water content. Radicle protrusion began 5 months after dispersal and coincided with partial fruit decomposition at the beginning of the rainy season. Thus, the possible microclimate created by the pericarp, with the moisture content of the aril and the soil, the presence of the structures in the axis, such as the pores and stomata, the chemical composition and the morphology of S. langsdorffii seeds could favour maintenance of their viability until the beginning of the rainy season.

RESUMO -(Desenvolvimento pós-seminal de espécies de Poaceae (Poales)). O presente estudo objetivou verificar a existência de um padrão do desenvolvimento pós-seminal em Poaceae. Para tanto, foram estudadas as seguintes espécies: Olyra humilis Nees (Bambusoideae); Axonopus aureus P. Beauv. e Paspalum polyphyllum Nees ex Trin. (Panicoideae); Chloris elata Nees e Eragrostis solida Desv. (Chloridoideae). Procurou-se também comparar as estruturas da plântula de Poaceae com as demais monocotiledôneas. As espécies estudadas são plantas perenes, rizomatosas, cespitosas e apresentam cariopses de tamanhos diferentes. Apresentam sementes albuminosas; embrião lateral, diferenciado, com raiz endógena (adventícia); cotilédone dividido em hiperfilo (escutelo), bainha reduzida e hipofilo (coleóptilo); coleorriza (raiz primária reduzida) e mesocótilo (eixo localizado entre o escutelo e coleóptilo). A presença de epiblasto (folha embrionária) foi observada em Olyra humilis, Chloris elata e Eragrostis solida. O desenvolvimento pós-seminal é semelhante nas espécies estudadas e forma um padrão em Poaceae. Primeiramente, observa-se a emissão da coleorriza, que cresce no sentido geotrópico positivo, seguida do coleóptilo e plúmula que crescem em sentido contrário, a partir do desenvolvimento do mesocótilo. As primeiras folhas são semelhantes às folhas definitivas (metafilos) das espécies, exceto em Olyra humilis, que são modificadas em catafilos e podem ser interpretadas como caráter basal em Bambusoideae. Raiz primária reduzida (coleorriza) e hipofilo modificado em coleóptilo são considerados caracteres derivados em Poaceae, quando comparados com as demais monocotiledôneas.Palavras-chave: anatomia, Gramineae, morfologia, plântula, semente ABSTRACT -(Post-seminal development of Poaceae species (Poales)). This work has aimed to verify the existence of a pattern of the post-seminal development in Poaceae. Thus, Olyra humilis Nees (Bambusoideae); Axonopus aureus P. Beauv. e Paspalum polyphyllum Nees ex Trin. (Panicoideae); Chloris elata Nees e Eragrostis solida Desv. (Chloridoideae) have been studied. Besides, it was compared the structures of Poaceae seedlings with those of other monocotyledons. All are perennial, rhizomatous, and cespitous species whose caryopses differ in size. They all present albuminous seeds, lateral and differentiated embryos, with endogenous embryonic (adventitious) root, cotyledons divided into hyperphyll (scutellum), reduced sheath and hypophyll (coleoptile); coleorhiza (reduced primary root); and mesocotyl (axis between the scutellum and the coleoptile). The presence of epiblasts (embryonic leaves) was noticed in Olyra humilis, Chloris elata and Eragrostis solida. Since the post-seminal developmental of all the studied species is similar, it represents a pattern in Poeaceae. The coleorhiza, which shows positive geotropism, grows first, followed by the coleoptile and the plumule, in the opposite direction, which form from the mesocotyl development. In all species, the first leaves are similar to the definitive ...

-(Morphology, anatomy and ontogeny of Pterocarpus violaceus Vogel (Fabaceae: Faboideae) samara). Morphological, anatomical and developmental descriptions of P. violaceus fruits and seeds were made in order to verify the origin of the pericarpic wing and the occurrence of polyembryonic seeds, previously described for other Dalbergieae genera. The fruit is a circular, glabrous samara. Seeds show some typical characters of the Faboideae specially in the hilar region. We describe six different fruit developmental stages. The pericarpic wing originates from the expansion of the ovary wall; the pericarp grows dorsiventrally, apically and basally, producing a flattened structure. In all material analysed, we do not find polyembryonic seeds. We also conclude that the pericarp of P. violaceus is unusual because of the fusion of its ventral vascular bundles, a feature that is considered phylogenetically derived for the group.Key words -anatomy, fruit, morphology, Pterocarpus violaceus, seed RESUMO -(Morfoanatomia e ontogênese da sâmara de Pterocarpus violaceus Vogel (Fabaceae: Faboideae)). Neste trabalho, os frutos e sementes de P. violaceus foram descritos morfoanatômica e ontogeneticamente, visando a verificar a origem da ala pericárpica e checar a ocorrência de poliembrionia, previamente descrita para outros gêneros da tribo Dalbergieae. Observou-se que o fruto é uma sâmara circular, de aspecto glabro e que a semente possui alguns caracteres típicos de Faboideae, especialmente os relacionados ao hilo. Foram caracterizados atomicamente seis estádios de desenvolvimento. A ala pericárpica origina-se da parede ovariana, por extensões dorso-ventral, apical e basal, produzindo uma estrutura achatada. Não foi possível encontrar poliembrionia, mesmo analisando-se grande número de sementes. Pôde-se também concluir que, no que se refere à estrutura do fruto, P. violaceus é filogeneticamente derivada com relação às outras espécies de Dalbergieae já registradas na literatura, devido à presença de fusão dos feixes ventrais do carpelo.

This study evaluated the contributions of Styrax camporum seed morphology (size of seeds, presence or absence of endocarp attached to the seed), different substrates (filter paper, vermiculite, sand and the soils of cerrado s. str., cerradão and a riparian forest), different water potentials (0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3, -0.4 and -0.5 MPa), light and temperature to seed germination. Seed size did not affect the germination percentage when seeds were sown on vermiculite. Seeds were affected by small variations in the moisture content of the tested substrates, showing a significant decrease in germination under water potentials lower than -0.1 MPa, close to the field capacity of cerrado s. str. soils. At the temperatures of 15 and 20°C, a significant decrease in germination was observed. Thus, the availability of water in cerrado soils associated to temperature modulate the distribution of germination in this species. Seed morphology contributes to the maintenance of seeds in the soil, and the lack of synchrony in seed germination spreads the distribution of germination in time. These peculiarities allow the emergency of seedlings at different time periods and establishment conditions, an adaptative response of S. camporum to the cerrado environment.