Comparative root anatomy and root bud development in two species of Malvaceae

Abstract

Aims. Since underground plant organs, usually the thickened ones, are structures capable of producing buds that allow shoot regrowth when the aerial part of the plants is eliminated by human disturbances or fire episodes and some plants have roots that produce buds, which may or may not be branched systems, but which allow vegetative propagation in unfavorable environments, due the presence of carbohydrate of reserves tis study aimed to analyze the roots of two Brazilian species, Apeiba tibourbou and Pachira aquatica, which present starch grains, root buds and capacity to propagate vegetatively and to compare the anatomical structure of these gemiferous roots. Methods. The material of both species was analyzed in loco environment, collected and anatomical standardized methods were used to compare the species. Also tests for carbohydrate detection were made. Results. Anatomical analyses showed that these roots produce endogenous buds, originating from pericycle cells in A. tibourbou and from parenchyma rays in P. aquatica. Both species presented starch as carbohydrate reserve but with significance difference on the amount between them. Conclusions.The results demonstrated the diversity not only in relation to the high potential of differentiation and specialization of plant cells, but also in relation to the reproductive strategies adopted by these species, whether they are associated with the environment or not.