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Seed coat anatomy in the hilar region was examined in dry, imbibed and germinating seeds of Eastern redbud. A discontinuous area was observed between macrosclereid cells in the palisade layer of the seed coat which formed a hilar slit. A symmetrical cap was formed during germination as the seed coat separated along the hilar slit and was hinged by the macrosclereids in the area of the seed coat opposite to the hilar slit. The discontinuity observed in the palisade layer was the remnant of the area traversed by the vascular trace between the funiculus and the seed coat of the developing ovule. There were no apparent anatomical differences in the hilar region of the seed coat between dormant and non-dormant imbibed seeds. However, the thickened layer of mesophyll cells of the seed coat in this region and the capacity of the endospetm to stretch along with the elongating radicle may contribute to maintaining dormancy in redbud seeds.
The seedcoat anatomy in the hilar region was examined in dry, imbibed and germinating seeds of Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.). A discontinuous area was observed between macrosclereid cells in the palisade layer of the seedcoat which formed a hilar slit. A cap was formed during germination as the seedcoat separated along the hilar slit and was hinged by the macrosclereids in the area of the seedcoat opposite to the hilar slit. The discontinuity observed in the palisade layer was the remnant of the area traversed by the vascular trace between the funiculus and the seedcoat of the developing ovule. There were no apparent anatomical differences in the hilar region of the seedcoat between dormant and nondormant imbibed seeds. However, the thickened mesophyll of the seedcoat in this region and the capacity of the endosperm to stretch along with the elongating radicle may contribute to maintaining dormancy in redbud seeds.
Forest products companies would like to grow clonal plantations of superior loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) to improve fiber yields. Feasibility depends on developing efficient propagation techniques and finding superior clones. Horticultural stem-cutting propagation methods and micropropagation techniques are being coupled to test, preserve, multiply, and ultimately deploy clones. Outstanding clones are being found through a series of field tests; each beginning with a superior full-sibling cross from a 40-year-old breeding program. Clones are first screened for rooting ability, and the top 25% to 35% of clones are then established on four sites. Since maintenance of juvenile phase tissue is critical to perpetuating high rooting rates and fast subsequent growth, each clone is preserved as a set of serially propagated hedges and as cold-stored microshoots. As field tests age, better-performing clones are multiplied gradually. Large-production stock blocks of juvenile hedges consequently may be established from both rooted cuttings and microshoots as soon as field tests end. Clones producing large numbers of long branches have been noted for their potential value as fast-growing ornamentals. Since such characters are opposite those desirable for forestry, these clones would need to be preserved, multiplied, and marketed separately from clones for plantation forests.