Anatomical and Chemical Insights into the White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) Seed Coat Associated to Water Permeability

Abstract

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) seeds can exhibit physical dormancy, which produces hard seeds within a seed lot. These seeds do not germinate because they do not imbibe water due to a barrier to water entry in the seed coat. The aim of this work was to analyze the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the testa of white clover seeds with respect to water permeability levels. Seeds of the cv. NK Churrinche (2004 and 2006 harvests) were characterized via anatomical studies and determination of structural substances, polyphenols, tannins, and cutins present in the testa of seeds of different water permeability levels. Anatomically, increased testa thickness was associated with a decreased permeability level. Very slow-hydration seed coats exhibit thicker cuticle, longer macrosclereids, thicker cell wall, and the presence of wide osteosclereids than rapid-hydration seed coats; these differences are associated with a slower hydration speed and with a barrier to water entry to the seed. From the physiological and chemical points of view, the mechanism of physical dormancy of the testa would be explained by a greater amount of hydrophobic components that cement the cell wall, such as polyphenols, lignins, condensed tannins, pectic substances, and a higher proportion of cellulose and hemicellulose.