Structural character of sorghum endosperm transfer cells and their relationship with embryo and endosperm

Abstract

Endosperm transfer cells mainly occur in the epithelial layer of the endosperm and transport the nutrient unloaded by the maternal vascular tissue. They have wall ingrowths that can facilitate solute transportation. Here we report our further investigation of endosperm transfer cells in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). We observed endosperm transfer cells, embryo, and endosperm with different kinds of microscopes. Our experimental results showed that the distribution and configuration of endosperm transfer cells were fit for solute transportation, and they had a tight relationship with the embryo and endosperm. © Y. Zheng, Z. Wang, 2010.