Late embryogenesis and morphology of mature embryos in three species of Dipterocarpaceae

摘要

Stereoscopic dissection of seeds in different stages of development allows morphological study of late embryogenesis in large-seeded spermatophytes. Using this method, late embryogenesis is studied in three species of Dipterocarpaceae, viz.,Hopea ponga(Dennst.) Mabb.,Vateria indicaLinn., andVatica chinensisLinn. Configuration of the mature embryo in the seed is largely a result of spatiotemporal growth adjustments in all three species. Thus, the kind of folding of the cotyledons and the position of the embryonic hypocotyl (radicle) in the mature embryo are largely determined by the position of the embryo inside the ovule (seed) cavity early in development. Late embryogenic studies in other species of Dipterocarpaceae and other angiosperms are desirable. Such studies would help in understanding causal morphology and structural homology of embryos.