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Anatomy of two mechanisms of breaking physical dormancy by experimental treatments in seeds of two North American Rhus species (Anacardiaceae)
Author(s) -
Li Xiaojie,
Baskin Jerry M.,
Baskin Carol C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.2307/2656788
Subject(s) - dormancy , biology , anacardiaceae , botany , germination , integumentary system , horticulture , anatomy
Anatomy of the endocarp was studied in relation to the physical dormancy‐breaking mechanisms in experimentally treated Rhus aromatica var. aromatica and R. glabra germination units, which include seed plus endocarp (hereafter seeds). The endocarp has three distinct layers, with brachysclereids on the outside, osteosclereids in the middle, and macrosclereids on the inside. Brachysclereids in the carpellary micropyle region (i.e., region immediately adjacent to the integumentary micropyle) are shorter than those in other parts of the endocarp, and the macrosclereids in this region are not elongated. Thus, a weak point is formed in the endocarp. Concentrated sulfuric acid broke seed dormancy in R. aromatica by eroding the brachysclereids and osteosclereids in the carpellary micropyle region, whereas boiling water broke dormancy in seeds of R. glabra by inducing a blister adjacent to the carpellary micropyle.