Histogenesis and reserve dynamics during the maintenance of dormancy and germination in seeds of the basal palm Mauritiella armata.

The germination and post-seminal development of Arecaceae are notably complex due to the microscopic dimensions of the embryonic axis, the occurrence of dormancy, and the diversity of reserve compounds. In-depth information on this subject is still limited, especially in terms of the basal sub-family Calamoideae. Mauritiella armata is widely distributed in the Amazon region and is considered a key species in flooded ecosystems (veredas) in the Cerrado biome.

Pericarp histogenesis and histochemistry during fruit development in Butia capitata (Arecaceae).

Palm fruits show great structural complexity, and in-depth studies of their development are still scarce. This work aimed to define the developmental stages of the fruit of the neotropical palm Butia capitata and to characterize the ontogenesis of its pericarp. Biometric, anatomical, and histochemical evaluations were performed on pistillate flowers and developing fruits.

Reserve mobilization dynamics and degradation pattern of mannan-rich cell walls in the recalcitrant seed of Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae).

Most seeds store reserves, which mobilization after germination is complex and diversified among plant species. Information on the reserve mobilization in recalcitrant seeds (i.e.

Cytological and histochemical evaluations reveal roles of the cotyledonary petiole in the germination and seedling development of Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae).

The cotyledonary petiole (CP) completely envelops the embryo axis during embryogenesis in Arecaceae. There is little information available, however, on the roles of that structure in seed germination and initial seedling development-crucial plant life cycle phases. The study therefore sought to evaluate the roles of CP in the germination and post-seminal development of the recalcitrant seeds of Mauritia flexuosa, an ecologically and economically important neotropical palm.

Roles of the haustorium and endosperm during the development of seedlings of Acrocomia aculeata (Arecaceae): dynamics of reserve mobilization and accumulation.

The mobilization of palm seed reserves is a complex process because of the abundance and diversity of stored compounds and results from the development of a highly specialized haustorium. This work focused on the important Neotropical oleaginous palm Acrocomia aculeata, with the aim of defining phases of seedling development associated with mobilization of reserves and elucidating the role of haustorium and endosperm in this process. Standard methods were performed, including biometric, anatomical, and histochemical analyses, as well as the evaluation of the activities of the enzymes endo-β-mannanase and lipase, throughout the reserve mobilization in seeds during germination and in seedlings.