Abstract
Commelina erecta is a successful weed species. The aims of this study were to analyse the morpho-anatomy of the fruit and dimorphic seeds of the weed C. erecta, the dynamics and type of dormancy, and water entry. Flowers and fruits at different development stages were processed using standard anatomical techniques. Besides, experiments of imbibition, germinability and water entry were performed on both seed types. In the fruit of C. erecta, free and coated seeds are developed within dehiscent and indehiscent carpels, respectively. Dehiscent carpels open through a region of mechanical weakness in the dorsal vascular bundle. This region does not form in the indehiscent carpel. The main anatomical differences between the two seed types were observed in the testa and in the number of covering layers. Imbibition experiments showed that the covering of both seed types is water permeable, so these seeds lack physical dormancy and may exhibit physiological dormancy. Germinability experiments showed that the dormancy in free seeds is variable throughout the reproductive season, whereas, in coated seeds, it is high throughout the reproductive season. The embryotega is an area where the hardness of the seed coat is interrupted and facilitates water entry. Differences in the morpho-anatomy of carpels result in the formation of dimorphic seeds with different covering layers and different germination properties. These different properties allow some seeds germinate immediately after falling from the mother plant, and others to be incorporated into the seed bank. These results are useful for designing weed management strategies in agroecosystems.
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The authors thank Dr. Raúl Pozner for critical reading of the manuscript.
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This work was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Argentina (PICT 2018–03944 to MGP) and Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina (CAI + D2020-50520190100078LI to AGR and CAI + D2016-50020150100015LI to ESP).
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ESP, AGR, MGP, and GRC conceived and designed research. ESP, AGR, and MGP procured funding. ESP, AGR, EO and IMD collected samples in the field and conducted experiments. All authors analyzed data. ESP and AGR wrote the manuscript, and prepared figures. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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709_2023_1904_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
Supplementary file1 ESM 1 Ovule development, megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis in Commelina erecta. (a) and (b) ovule primordium in which the megasporocyte, and the inner and outer integuments primordium can be recognized; note the advanced growth of the inner tegument compared to the outer tegument (c) and (d) megaspores tetrad with the three micropylar megaspores degenerating, and the chalazal one enlarged; the inner integument grows more rapidly than the outer integument, completely surrounding the nucellus and delimiting the micropyle (e–h) successive stages of megagametophyte formation; an eight-nucleate Polygonum-type embryo sac is observed at ripe stage. Abbreviations: an antipodal cell, cc central cell, dm degenerate megaspores, fm functional megaspore, ii inner integument, m micropyle, mc megasporocyte, mp micropylar pole, n nucellus, oi outer integument, ov ovary wall, s embryo sac, sy synergid cell, te megaspores tetrad. Scale bars: a = 20 µm; b, d-f, h = 30 µm; c, g = 100 µm. (PDF 2752 kb)
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Panigo, E.S., Oggero, E., Dellaferrera, I.M. et al. Fruit dehiscence mechanism and release of dimorphic seeds with different germination properties in Commelina erecta. Protoplasma 261, 377–393 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-023-01904-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-023-01904-z