SEED COMPOUNDS MOBILIZATION ANTHURIUM AFFINE DURING GERMINATION

Anthurium affine is a native species from Brazilian semi-arid regions, often used for cut foliage and pot plant; it presents low water demanding and long durability after harvesting.
In spite of great ornamental potential, its physiology is scarcely known.
This work aims to characterize the mobilization of the seed storage of A. affine during seed germination using histological techniques and staining the developmental stages with Toluidine Blue (TB), Xylidine Ponceau (XP) and allowed to react with Periodic acid and Schiff (PAS). TB stained the cell wall due to the pectin presence, but there was no change in the staining intensity during germination.
XP revealed the presence of protein globules in the cotyledon and endosperm cells.
In the cotyledon, the drastic reduction in XP staining indicated consumption of protein reserves by the embryo during germination.
The PAS reaction revealed the presence of granules in the cells of the cotyledon and endosperm.
Through the Lugol method, it was confirmed the starch composition of the granules, which disappeared during germination.
At the end of the study period, globules appeared in the periphery of the endosperm, which was associated with the onset of photosynthetic activity of seedlings.
The seeds of A. affine have as main storage compound starch and protein and use starch and protein to the development of the embryo during germination.

XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Advances in Ornamentals, Landscape and Urban Horticulture

E.B. Morais, M.I. Galão, A.C.R. Castro

seeds, morphology

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.937.22