www.plantroot.org 33 Original research article An anatomical study of developmental changes in maturing root tissues of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and formation of a unique type of periderm Astha Tuladhar and Naosuke Nii Faculty of Agriculture, Meijo University, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan Corresponding author: N. Nii, E-mail:
[email protected], Phone: +81-52-838-2435 Received on March 24, 2014; Accepted on July 10, 2014 Abstract: Roots of pomegranate (Punica underway to acknowledge changes in such granatum L.), belonging to Punicaceae, were biopolymer accumulation in the outermost tissue investigated anatomically to record changes in in abiotic stress conditions. tissue development from growth to maturity. When roots start secondary growth, a protective Keywords: lignin, suberin, rhizodermis, exodermis, tissue called polyderm composed of alternating thick-walled cells, polyderm, Punicaceae suberized and non-suberized cell layers, develop beyond the endodermis in certain families of Introduction plants including Myrtaceae. Punicaceae family is not known to develop a polyderm. However, new Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) belongs to layers formed beyond the endodermis during Punicaceae family of plants. It is an oldest known secondary growth and biopolymer deposition edible fruit tree species originating from central Asia was observed in their cell walls. The present which is now produced worldwide for its highly study aims to gather more knowledge on this recognized medicinal, nutritional and ornamental tissue discovered in pomegranate roots and properties (Teixeira da Silva et al. 2013). Its adaptive cross check whether it is a polyderm or a unique characteristics reflect in its geographically wide type of periderm. distribution. Roots are directly affected by different Root specimens were sectioned freehand or soil environments.