Anatomical structure of the seeds of Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq.

Abstract

The article provides detailed information about the anatomical structure of the seeds of Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq. When studying the anatomical structure of the seed of the A. turkestanica plant in cross section under a microscope, it was noticed that the seed coat is thick and multilayered. The seed coat of the A. turkestanica plant plays an important role in protecting the embryo and provides a barrier against environmental stress. The structure of the seed coat may vary depending on the type of plant; it consists of several layers. Anatomical analysis revealed that the seed of the A.turkestanica plant is a seed without endosperm. In cases where the embryo absorbs the endosperm, its function changes slightly, and it begins to accumulate nutrients. In addition, nutrients accumulate in the perisperm. The perisperm is located under the seed coat and develops from the nucellus of the ovule. The embryo of such seeds becomes much smaller, surrounded on all sides by storage tissue. Since the endosperm and perisperm are attached to the embryo, during seed germination the embryo sucks out all the nutrients from the seed. In the process of studying the anatomical structure of the seed of the A. turkestanica plant in the conditions of Uzbekistan, it was established that the seed does not have endosperm, the seed coat consists of many layers, the pulp absorbs the endosperm, and the presence of nutrients in the perisperm are diagnostic characteristics of the species.