SEED COAT STRUCTURE OF PELARGONIUM-ZONALE

The testae of impermeable (hard) and permeable (soft) seeds exhibit remarkable anatomical differences which are discussed in connexion with the barrier against water entry into hard seeds. The results indicate the permeability barrier of the hard seed of the F1-hybrid 'Sprinter' to be situated inside the cuticular and epidermal layers of the seed coat. After scarification experiments neither the light line inside the palisades nor the palisade layer itself can be responsible for water impermeability. The light line is of substantial nature and not an optical effect.