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Histological and biochemical characterization of Theobroma cacao L. endosperm during seed development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Justine Sossou Dangou ,
Valérie Hocher ,
Nicole Ferrière ,
Corinne Fulcheri ,
Philippe Morard  and
Laurence Alemanno
Justine Sossou Dangou
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Recherches en Cirad TA 80/02 Avenue Agropolis Montpellier Cedex 5 34398 France
Valérie Hocher
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Recherches en Chimie et Biologie Appliquées Collège Polytechnique Universitaire, Université Nationale du Bénin B.P. 2009 Cotonou République du Bénin
Nicole Ferrière
Affiliation:
Laboratoire GeneTrop Centre IRD BP 5045 Montpellier Cedex 1 34032 France
Corinne Fulcheri
Affiliation:
Cirad TA 80/02 Avenue Agropolis Montpellier Cedex 5 34398 France
Philippe Morard
Affiliation:
Cirad TA 80/02 Avenue Agropolis Montpellier Cedex 5 34398 France
Laurence Alemanno*
Affiliation:
Laboratoire GeneTrop Centre IRD BP 5045 Montpellier Cedex 1 34032 France
*
*Correspondence Fax: +33–467–615793 Email: laurence.alemanno@cirad.fr
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Abstract

The histological and biochemical characteristics of cacao (Theobroma cacao) endosperm were determined at different stages of seed development. At various stages, the endosperm was analysed for minerals, organic acids, carbohydrates, free amino acids, abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins. Cacao endosperm was coenocytic and became progressively cellularized from the micropylar zone. From stage I to IIz, the endosperm started to degenerate all around the embryo. Among the minerals detected, potassium and sulphate were the most abundant. Ammonium was the major source of mineral nitrogen, and glutamine was the most abundant free amino acid. Total nitrogen concentration was quite low. No sulphur-containing amino acids could be detected. Malate was present at all endosperm stages and was the most abundant organic acid. The sugars in cacao endosperm were mainly reducing sugars: glucose and fructose. ABA was only detected from stage IIz. IAA and three cytokinins [zeatin, zeatin-riboside and isopentenyl adenosine (iPA)] were present at all stages of development. Cacao endosperm resembled the endosperm of other species in (1) the abundance of organic acids and phosphate; and (2) a unique combination of sugars. However, three features seemed to be specific to cacao: (1) nitrogen was supplied mainly in the form of ammonium and amino acids, whereas, in other species, amino acids represent the predominant form; (2) there was a relatively small amount of nitrogen, and (3) a high concentration of sulphate and the absence of sulphur amino acids.

Keywords

endosperm developmentsomatic embryogenesisrecalcitrant seedsTheobroma cacao L.
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , June 2002 , pp. 91 - 100
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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