Published in

MDPI, Plants, 9(11), p. 1177, 2022

DOI: 10.3390/plants11091177

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Morphoanatomy and Histochemistry of Septal Nectaries Related to Female Fertility in Banana Plants of the ‘Cavendish’ Subgroup

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

The objective of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the morphoanatomical and histochemical structures that compose the nectary of pistillate flowers (female), which are involved in the female fertility of banana plants belonging to the ‘Cavendish’ subgroup. The diploid Calcutta 4 and the Grand Naine cultivar were used for the assessment. Five stages of floral development were proposed. Pistillate flower nectaries were subjected to morphological characterization, morphoanatomy, and histochemical tests (phenolic compounds, proteins, and lipids). Morphoanatomical analysis revealed a greater presence of narrow nectariferous ducts and more developed pluristratified papillae in Calcutta 4. In contrast, Grand Naine displayed cell disintegration in nectariferous ducts and pluristratified papillae, absent transmitting tissue, and greater amounts of vascular bundles at anthesis. However, Calcutta 4 displayed no changes in the nectariferous duct at any of the stages. An association was found between phenolic compounds and lipids in vacuoles adjacent to the vascular bundles, with greater amounts found in Grand Naine. The localization of phenolic compounds may suggest that these compounds play a role in nectar secretion or the oxidation of the nectary region, ultimately limiting the growth and passage of the pollen tube and preventing ovule fertilization.