Seed Characterization and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Morphology of the Testa of Three Groups of Argentine Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae)

Authors

  • C. Degano
  • M.E. Alonso
  • J. Ochoa
  • A. Catan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56890/jpacd.v2i.175

Keywords:

seed, Opuntia ficus-indica, scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract

The external morphology of the seeds and the SEM structure of the epicuticular waxes of seeds
of three groups of O. ficus-indica naturalized to Argentina, i.e., a spiny red-fruited variety, a
spiny orange fruited variety and a spineless yellow-fruited variety, were studied. The seeds of
the three groups are not differentiated easily with the naked eye. However, hairs can be
observed on the surface of the seeds of the red-fruited group with the aid of a
stereomicroscope. All three types of O. ficus-indica have a hilum in the apical or subapical
position, but only the red and orange types have an aril. Different kinds of epicuticular waxes
and wax granules were observed on the seeds of these Opuntias with SEM techniques.
However, the differences in epicuticular wax characteristics were not sufficient to characterize
them according to species.

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Published

01-01-1997

Issue

Section

Scientific Papers