Comparative Micromorphology of the Seed Surface of Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) and Allied Species

Abstract

The seed surface microstructure of Solanum melongena L., S.incanum L. and some other species were examined using SE.\f. Seeds were given en{Yme ( Driselase) etching treatment prior to examination to sweep oJJ the outer layer of cells which obscured observation. Most seeds were characterised by hair-like structures orfibrils which surrounded each cell and which are strands ofthickening in the lateral walls ojthe outer epidermal cells ojthe testa. Seed coat structure of S.melongena and S.incanum wasJound to be highly uniform in the samples examined indicating a close relationship between them. The seed coat patterns ofS.torvum Sw., S. tomentosum L., S.aethiopicum L., S.kwebense Br. and Wr. and S.cinereum R.Br. were considerably different not only from S.melongena and S.incanum but also between themselves which supports the distinctness oj these taxa.