Abstract
The embryology and seed development ofDactyliandra welwitschii Hook. f., a monotypic species of Cucurbitaceae, is studied. The inferior, tricarpellary, unilocular ovary with parietal placentation bears anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate ovules singly at the tip of each lobe of the bifid placenta. The deep seated megaspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to form a linear tetrad of megaspores. The chalazal megaspore is functional and embryo sac development follows the Polygonum type. Fertilization is porogamous and pollen tube is persistent.
Endosperm is nuclear with a short chalazal haustorium. The wall formation is progressive and the haustorium remains coenocytic. Embryogeny is of the Asterad type. The testa develops from the outer integument alone while the inner degenerates soon after fertilization. The mature seed coat comprises the seed epidermis, 8–10-layered sclerotic hypodermis, main sclerenchymatous layer of vertically elongated astrosclereids, aerenchyma and the inner zone.
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Communicated by Prof. K. S. Thind,f.a.sc.
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Dathan, A.S.R. Embryology and seed development ofDactyliandra welwitschii Hook. f.. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 80, 207–215 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050666
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03050666