Embryology-Seeds

Abstract

A mature embryo within the seed represents a young plant before germination (Mauseth 1988). Since the pattern of the adult plant is formed during the course of embryo development, the study of embryos provides “essential information on the inception of the varied form and structure of plants” (Wardlaw, 1955). In recent years, especially through the use of Arabidopsis embryo mutants, plant embryologists have gained new insights into the molecular and genetic aspects of embryo development. Many excellent reviews are available dealing with different aspects of embryo development (for examples see Natesh and Rau, 1984; Johri et al., 1992; Meinke, 1995; Yadegari and Goldberg, 1997).