Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Seed ontogeny and endosperm chemical analysis in Smilax polyantha (Smilacaceae)

Full text
Author(s):
Martins, Aline Redondo [1] ; Carmello-Guerreiro, Sandra Maria [2] ; Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira [3] ; Silva, Clovis Oliveira [3] ; Appezzato-da-Gloria, Beatriz [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] ESALQ USP, Dept Ciencias Biol, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil
[2] IB UNICAMP, Dept Biol Vegetal, Inst Biol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] IBUSP USP, Dept Bot, Inst Biociencias, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Australian Journal of Botany; v. 60, n. 8, p. 693-699, 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

Smilax polyantha Grisebach is a species native to the Brazilian Cerrado biome and is known as sarsaparilla in folk medicine. Despite its popular use, little is known about the propagation of this species, which is still actively illegally exploited. The present study aims to analyse the seed ontogeny and perform endosperm chemical analyses in S. polyantha to elucidate the structural and chemical factors that could be associated with the low germination rates and structural organisation of the seed. The ovules are orthotropic and bitegmic, have short funicles, single collateral vascular bundles that end in the chalaza, and a hypostasis that is composed of chalazal and nucellar cells. The seed covering is non-multiplicative. In mature seeds, the cellularised endosperm has thick-walled cells, the embryo is small and the tegmen comprises two layers of periclinal elongated cells with a red-orange content, which are covered by a cuticle. Histochemical tests detected the presence of lipids, proteins and polysaccharides in the cellular content of mature seeds. Chemical analyses indicated 46.7% hemicellulose per total weight, 67.3% glucose, 30.7% mannose, 1.9% galactose and an absence of fucose, arabinose and rhamnose. In conclusion, the delayed seed germination in S. polyantha is associated with the seed endosperm cell walls. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/58964-9 - Morphoanatomy of the vegetative organs and chemical profile of species of the Smilax L. (Smilacaceae) genus
Grantee:Beatriz Appezzato da Glória
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 05/54984-5 - Morphoanatomy of the vegetative organs and chemical profile of species of Smilax L. (Smilacaceae) genus
Grantee:Aline Redondo Martins
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate