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Morphological and anatomical studies on germinating seeds of Euterpe precatoria Mart

AGUIAR, Madalena Otaviano and MENDONCA, Maria Sílvia de

Abstract : Euterpe precatoria is a palm tree widespread in Amazon basin, in terra firme and várzea sites. The fruit is used for the production of Açaí wine, and the sten apex for the production of palm hearts (palmito), which are an important food source. Different stages of germinated açaí seed were studied in longitudinal and transversal sections, under a optical microscope. The embryonic axis is curved. In the early stages of germination, the integument is displaced, forming the cotyledonal bud and the future plant. The radicle emerges first, with a well developed root cap and develops faster than the plumula. The process of formation of the first leaves is continuous. As the embryo is developing, the distal region increases in size, forming the haustorium and occupying the place of the endosperm.

Keywords : Palm; anatomy; embryo; germination.

Acta Bot. Bras., July/Sept. 2002, vol.16, no.3, p.241-249. (Full text available in Portuguese).