The evolution of the seed represents a remarkable life-history transition for photosynthetic organisms. Here, we review the recent literature and historical understanding of how and why seeds evolved. Answering the 'how' question involves a detailed understanding of the developmental morphology and anatomy of seeds, as well as the genetic programs that determine seed size. We complement this wi...

During differentiation, the Arabidopsis seed coat epidermal cells synthesize and secrete large quantities of pectinaceous mucilage into the apoplast, which is then released to encapsulate the seed upon imbibition. In this study, we showed that mutation in Irregular Xylem 14 (IRX14) led to a mucilage cohesiveness defect due to a reduced xylan content. Expression of IRX14 was detected specificall...

In some plant species, including Arabidopsis, fertilization induces the epidermal cells of the outer ovule integument to differentiate into a specialized seed coat cell type with a unique morphology and containing large quantities of polysaccharide mucilage (pectin). Such seed coat mucilage cells are necessary for neither viability nor germination under normal laboratory conditions. Thus, the A...

The present work reports the influence of zinc oxide (ZnO) seed layer annealing temperature on structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO nanorod arrays, synthesized by hydrothermal method assisted by microwave radiation, to be used as UV sensors. The ZnO seed layer was produced using the spin-coating method and several annealing temperatures, ranging from 100 to 500 °C, have been tes...

This study investigates the effect of pawpaw seed meal using various level inclusion in regulating procreation Oreochromis niloticus (gift strain) via morphology (percentage defective sperm cells) as well gonads biomarkers.

Abstract Fire stimulates the germination of most seeds in fire-prone vegetation. Fruits Leucadendron (Proteaceae) are winged achenes or nutlets that correlate with their requirements for smoke and/or heat promoting germination. We describe five possible smoke–heat dormancy-release/germination syndromes among plants, which displays three (no response, only, and heat). As seed-coat thickness vari...

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic powder (GP) black seed (BS) and plant premix (GP and BS) in the diet on broiler growth performance and intestinal morphology. included 480 Hubbard broiler chicks(day-old). There were 4 treatment groups each consisting of 3 replicates. The four dietary treatments consisted of a control (basal diet), basal diet +0.5% GP, basal diet +0....

Seed morph, abiotic conditions and time of germination can affect plant fitness, but few studies have tested their combined effects on plasticity of plant life history traits. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that seed morph, germination season and watering regime influence phenotypic expression of post-germination life history traits in the diaspore-heteromorphic cold desert winter annual/spring...

Cuscuta australis (C. australis) seed and stem are commonly used as dietary supplements in a maize-meal, "Ogi", by the local population for the management of male and female reproductive dysfunctions. This study, as a part of on-going efforts, therefore, evaluated and compared the effects of Low Protein-energy (LP) and Normal Protein-energy (NP) diets on the sperm morphology and characteristics...