Env Exp Biol (2014) 12: 101–106

Morphological and micromorphological studies of seeds of ten accessions of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.

Abstract

Seed morphological and micromorphological features of ten accessions of winged bean Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. were studied under light and scanning electron microscope. The comparative study of seeds showed marked differences among accessions in size, shape, colour, hilum size and surface ornamentation pattern. Polymorphism was evident also within each accession. Exomorphic features revealed under scanning electron microscopy suggested subspecific demarcations. The highest degree of seed polymorphism was found in the accession IC112417, and the lowest degree in accession EC38154. Accession EC27886 had comparatively large seeds, and accession IC95227 had small seeds. However, species cultivars differed in seed size, surface and hilum characteristics. The study showed that the seed coat ornamentation pattern can be helpful in identification of cultivars of this genus.