Korean J. Pl. Taxon. (2011) Vol. 41 No. 2, pp.103-107

Seed characteristics of ()

Balkrishna Ghimire, Bimal Kumar Ghimire1 and Kweon Heo* Department of Applied Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 200-701, Korea 1Department of Applied Life Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea (Received 18 April 2011 : Accepted 18 May 2011)

가지과 Withania somnifera 의 종자 형질

Balkrishna Ghimire·Bimal Kumar Ghimire1·허 권* 강원대학교 농업생명과학대학 식물자원응용공학과, 1건국대학교 응용생명과학과

ABSTRACT: The seed characteristics of Withania somnifera were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy in order to determine the specific features of this species. The seed color is yellow, and the seed shape is reniform measuring between two to three millimeters. The seed of W. somnifera is exarillate and albuminous. The seed coat type is exotestal. The seed coat develops from a single integument. The young seed coat consists of single-layered exotesta, multi-layered mesotesta and single-layered endotesta. However, parenchymatous mesotesta layers are completely compressed at maturity. Therefore, the seed coat was represented by sclerenchymatous exotesta. The primary sculpture on the seed surface is reticulate, and cells are irregular in shape with undulating anticlinal walls. In addition, the seed surface has several characteristic holes between the anticlinal walls.

Keywords: exotesta, sclerenchymatous cells, seed coat, Solanaceae, Withania somnifera

적요: 가지과 Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal의 종자 해부학적 특징을 알기 위하여 광학현미경과 주사전자 현미경을 사용하여 관찰하였다. 종자의 색깔은 노랑색이고, 종자의 형태는 신장형이며, 크기가 2−3mm 정도 이다. 종자는 종의를 가지고 있지 않았으며, 배유가 잘 발달한 유배유종자였다. 종피형태는 외종피외층형으로 나타났다. 종피는 외종피만으로 구성되는 단주피성 이었으며, 한 층의 외종피외층, 여러 층의 외종피중층, 그 리고 한 층의 외종피내층으로 구성되었다. 그러나 종자가 완전히 성숙했을 때는 외종피중층이 모두 압착되 었으며, 외종피외층은 특징적으로 파상형의 후벽세포로 발달하였다. 종피의 표면은 망상구조를 가지며, 수층 벽구조는 파상형으로 발달하였고, 표면에 여러 개의 구멍이 발달하는 특징이 관찰되었다.

주요어: 외종피, 후벽세포, 종피, 가지과, Withania somnifera

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) commonly cancer and anti-stress effect (Haripriya et al., 2010). Some known as ‘ashwagandha’ ‘winter cherry’ or ‘Indian ginseng’ indigenous people of South Africa apply this plant for the is an erect branching under-shrub, widely distributed in all dry treatment of sexually transmitted infections, asthma and also parts of subtropical India. The plant also found in Congo, South used as an anti-inflammatory agent (Van Wyk et al., 1997). Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Pakistan and Afganistan Among various embryological characters, integument and (Saldanha and Nicolson, 1978). It is an important plant in seed coat structures have diagnostic value at generic or infrageneric indigenous medical system for over 3,000 years and extract of level as well as familial or higher taxonomic level (Elisens, 1985; leaf, bark and root of this plant are used for multipurpose Tobe et al., 1987; Tobe, 1989). In many cases, it has been possible medicinal agent. It stimulates immune system and also believes to separate tribes (Whiffin and Tomb, 1972), genera (Mulligan and to improve memory. It has anti-tumors, anti-inflammation, anti- Bailey, 1976), sections and even species (Chuang and Heckard, 1972; Ehler, 1976; Hill, 1976; Seavey et al., 1977; Karcz et al., *Author for correspondence: [email protected]

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2005). Likewise, seed morphology and seed surface pattern have was differentiated in to endothelium, which is a common also been useful for phylogenetic relationship in wide variety characteristic in Solanaceae just before or during the embryo of angiosperm families (Esau, 1953; Mohana, 1974; Corner, 1976; sac becomes four-nucleate stage (Cooper, 1931; Lee and Cooper, Barthlott, 1981, 1984; Takhtajan, 1991). Recently, Kong et al. (2011) 1958; Mohan, 1970a, b; Erdelska, 1985; Kopcinska et al., 2002). reported about the seed morphology of Solanaceae in Korea. Various After fertilization, the cells of endothelium increase in size and studies on Solanaceae have shown that seed morphological are visually differentiated from the rest of the integument layer characters are of considerable significance in systematics, both which later represents the endotesta of seed coat (Fig. 1B). By generic and specific level (Zhang et al., 2005). Therefore, we the time the zygote is formed and endosperm starts to organize, have studied seed coat development and detailed sculpture of there is a significant change is marked in the integument which seed surface of W. somnifera. now possesses about 12 to 13 layers of cells. This process exceeds further with the expansion of endosperm and visual Materials and Methods separation of layer also happens. During this period, outer epidermal cells increase in size, become highly vacuolated and Seeds of W. somnifera collected from plant of greenhouse lignified by losing cytoplasmic substances. Inner epidermal at Kangwon National University. They were fixed in FAA (5 parts cells become elongated and are stretched by developing endosperm, formalin: 5 parts glacial acetic acid: 90 parts 50% ethanol) and whereas multilayered mesoderm with prominent vacuole remains preserved in 50% ethanol. Seeds were dehydrated with ethanol in between outer and inner epidermis. Thus, young seed seems series and embedded in Technovit 7100 resin. Embedded to have one layered exotesta, multiple layered parenchymatous materials were sectioned 4 to 5 µm thickness with disposable mesotesta and one layered endotesta (Fig. 1B). As we found knife. Serial sections were attached on slide glass and stained in this study seed coat is highly multiplicative, the number of with 0.1% Toludine blue O. All stained slides were mounted parenchymatous layers increased initially, but later these with Entellan. All prepared slides with different stages were parenchymatous layers was compressed gradually and disappeared observed with BX-50 light microscope (Olympus Co., Japan). completely in mature seed coat. The number of mesotesta layers Photographs were taken by digital camera system attached to starts to decrease in the differentiating the testa of seed with microscope. the development of embryo and endosperm. Significant change For scanning electron microscopic observations, several mature in this process has been observed in Solanum muricatum when seeds were dehydrated through ethanol series. After dehydration, embryo becomes heart-shaped, testa contained just a few layers seeds were immersed in carbon dioxide for critical point drying of parenchyma and the layer of degenerated parenchyma before coating with platinum. All samples were coated with remnants was wider (Kopcinska et al., 2004). As in W. somnifera platinum by Hitachi E-1010 ion-sputter device. The equipment and Solanum muricatum, disintegration of the middle parenchyma used to take picture was a Hitachi S-3500N scanning electron was also common in S. macrantheum Roem. & Schult. (Mohan, microscope. 1970a) and S. demissum Lindl. (Beamish, 1955) and it is believed that these integrating parenchyma is a source of nutrients for Results and Discussion the young developing endosperm and embryo (Kopcinska et al., 2004). Fruits of W. somnifera are globose berries and orange color The seed coat is an exotestal type. The mature seed coat at maturity. The fruit bears large number of seeds within it. comprises an exotesta, mesotesta and endotesta though the exotesta Mature seeds are albuminous and exarillate (Fig. 1D, E). They is the most noticeable and conspicuous structure among them are small almost equal in length and width (about 2-3 mm), (Fig. 1C). The layer of seed coat in Solanaceae is multiplicative flattened, reniform shaped or what discoid and yellow in color. or not and usually reduced to exotesta and endotesta with crushed Ovule is unitegmic. Therefore, seed coat completely lacks mesotesta (Corner, 1976). In W. somnifera, the exotestal cells tegmen layer. At early stage of development, the integument of mature seed are thick walled, lignified, irregular shaped in is made up of five to six layers and at the fully organized embryo cross section and highly tanniniferous (Fig. 1C, D). With the sac stage at the time of fertilization it becomes about seven to development of endosperm, the mesotesta becomes compressed eight layers (Fig. 1A). The integument in mature ovule of and it almost collapsed at maturity which is only represented Solanum muricatum Aiton comprised an outer epidermis, five by structures filled with dark stained substances (Fig. 1C). The to seven parenchymatous layers and an inner epidermis inner epidermal cells stretched tangentially with the extension (Kopcinska et al., 2002). The innermost layer of integument of endosperm and the cells are empty and elongated at mature

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Fig. 1. Development of seed coat and seed morphology of Withania somnifera. A. Longitudinal section of mature embryo sac with integument; B. Transverse section of young seed coat; C. Transverse section of mature seed coat; D. Longitudinal section of mature seed; E. Scanning electron microscopic view of seed shape with hillum; F. Magnified seed surface architecture. Abbreviations: end, endosperm; ent, endotesta; ext, exotesta; hi, hillum; it, integument; mi, micropyle; mst, mesotesta. Scale bars: A, B, C = 10 µm; D, 400 µm; E = 1 mm and F = 500 µm. seed stage (Fig. 1C). Same results were found by Dnyansagar parenchyma cells crushed at maturity whereas the endothelium and Cooper (1960) in Solanum phureja Juz. & Bukasov as middle did not disappear and it’s small, rectangular thick-walled cells

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formed the inner epidermis of the testa. However, Kopcinska research materials and also supporting experimental instruments. et al. (2004) explained that outer epidermis is the only layer which Also, we appreciate two anonymous reviewers for their retained its cellular structure in mature seed of S. muricatum but valuable comments and suggestions. inner epidermis and middle parenchymatous layers completely disorganized. Literature Cited Scanning electron microscopic view of mature seed revealed that the primary sculpturing is reticulate and has prominent outer Axelius, B. 1992. Testa patterns in some species of Physalis L. and anticlinal cell walls which are fused (Fig. 1E, F). The seed some other genera in the tribe Solaneae (Solanaceae). Int. J. coat has concave, shallow testal cells with undulating anticlinal Pl. Sci. 153: 488-502. walls and characteristic hole through the bottom thickening Barthlott, W. 1981. Epidermal and seed surface characters of : (Fig. 1F). Similar pattern of exotestal cells was described in systematic applicability and some evolutionary aspects. Nord. Physalis species by Axelius (1992) even though he found some J. Bot. 1: 345-355. variation in several species in distribution and pattern of holes Barthlott, W. 1984. Microstructural features of seed surface. In Current in the thickenings. The epidermal cells of mature seeds in W. concept in plant . Heywood, V. H. and M. Moor somnifera are irregular, polygonal or oblong with sinuate cell (eds.), Academic Press, London. Pp. 85-106. margin (Fig. 1E, F). Zhang et al. (2005) found two basic types Beamish, K. I. 1955. Seed failure following hybridization between the of cell shape and the degree of sinuosity of the cell walls; (1) hexaploid Solanum demissum and four diploid Solanum species. polygonal to sub-rounded in shape, isodiametric; lateral walls Amer. J. Bot. 42: 297-304. straight: Atropanthe, Mandragora, infundibularis, Chuang, T. I. and L. R. Heckard. 1972. Seed coat morphology in and P. macrophylla, and (2) cells irregular in shape, not Cordylanthus (Scrophulariaceae) and its taxonomic signifi- isodiametric or occasionally isodiametric; lateral walls sinuolate, cance. Amer. J. Bot. 59: 258- 265. sinuous or sinuate in the member of tribe Hyoscyameae such as Cooper, D. C. 1931. Macrosporogenesis and the development of Atropa, Atropanthe, Archihyoscyamus, Hyoscyamus, Physochlaina the macrogametophyte of Lycopersicum esculantum. Amer. J. orientalis, P. physaloides, P. praelta, P. urceolata, Przewalskia, Bot. 18: 739-748. and Scopolia. The exotestal cells of W. somnifera have deep Corner, E. J. H. 1976. The Seeds of Dicotyledons. Cambridge Uni- wedge-shaped lumen that the upper part of lumen often larger versity Press, Cambridge. than the base which is due to wall thickening since basal wall Dnyansagar, V. R. and D. C. Cooper. 1960. Development of the seed is thicker than upper part wall. Secondary sculpture in anticlinal wall of Solanum phureja. Amer. J. Bot. 47: 176-186. of exotesta is not so consistent in different species of Solanaceae Ehler, N. 1976. Mikromorphologie der samenoberflachen der gat- and it varies from smooth to cover with granular, laminar, or tung Euphorbia. Pl. Syst. Evol. 126: 189-207. tuberculate projection in tribe Hyoscyameae (Zhang et al., 2005). Elisens, W. J. 1985. The systematic significance of seed coat anatomy In this study, we found smooth secondary sculpture in anticlinal among New World species of tribe Antirrhineae (Scrophular- walls (Fig. 1F). This structure also reported in Korean Solanaceae iaceae). Syst. Bot. 10: 282-299. such as Scopolia lutescens, Solanum species, and Tubocapsicum Erdelska, O. 1985. Dynamics of the development of embryo and anomalum (Kong et al., 2011). endosperm I. (Papaver somniferum, Nicotiana tabacum, Jasione In conclusion, seed coat type of W. somnifera is entirely montana). 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Seed coat patterns in We are thankful to the Bio-Herb Research Center of rapid-cycling Brassica forms. Acta Biol. Cracov. Ser. Bot. 47: Kangwon National University for giving permission to collect 159-165.

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Korean J. Pl. Taxon, Vol. 41, No. 2