New data about the early development, morphology and anatomy of the proteoid roots of Gevuina avellana

Abstract

The early development, morphology and anatomy of the proteoid roots were studied in a Gevuina avellana population of 50 seedlings cultivated in greenhouse on volcanic ash soil. The results were compared with those of proteoid roots from adult plants collected in the field. A large difference was determined between the size of the proteoid cluster from seedlings and those from adult plants; the number of proteoid clusters per seedling showed a large variation. A direct correlation was found between the number of seedling proteoid roots per cluster and the age of the seedling. The origin, development and decay of the proteoid roots cluster , were described. The active life of proteoid roots is less than three months. The proteoid roots, which were the central axis of the cluster, show a similar anatomy to that of normal roots, but have whorly ramifications. The proteoid rootlets with neotenical characteristics show a simpler morphology and anatomy than the normal rootlets. They have abundant and long root hairs and they are capable of agglomerating soil, contributing to its structure.