Rubus geoides Sm. is a wild raspberry native in Patagonia.
Its domestication can broaden the genetic base of the
cultivated raspberry, prevent over exploitation of wild
populations, and diversify fruit production in areas where
few fruit species can be cultivated, like the Chilean
Patagonia. One important step in the domestication of
plant species is the unveiling of the reproductive biology
of the species, particularly seed germination. The goal of
this work was to study seed morphology and anatomy of
R. geoides in order to identify possible factors that may
affect germination and species identification based on seed
morphology, since seed shape, surface sculpturing and
raphe characteristics are discriminating factors for species
identification within
Rubus
. Morphoanatomical studies
were performed using both scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and light microscopy.
Rubus geoides seeds turned
out to be similar to those of
R. idaeus
. Seeds were pale
brown, with a semi globular shape, sharpened at the apical
region and oval toward the opposite end. Seed size was
variable, showing an average 1.9 mm width, 2.6 mm length,
and 1.3 mm thickness. Small rounded depressions and
ridges sculptured seed surface. The endocarp was hard and
rough, and consist of several layers of sclerenchymatous
lignified cells with 139 μm averaged thickness, which
suggest that to enhanced germination seed may require
its weakening or eventual elimination, as is done in other
Rubus species. The embryo varied with seed size between
1.6 and 2.0 mm. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy
allowed for the identification of the endosperm cells.
