Anatomical Study of Vegetative and Reproductive Organs in Tori (Luffa cylindrica L.)
Subject Areas :
Sayeh Jafari Marandi
1
*
,
Masomeh mahootforoshha
2
1 - Islamic Azaz University Tehran North Branch
2 - Biology Department, College of Bioscience, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: Key Words: Anatomical structures, Cucurbitaceae, Luffa cylindrica, Pollen and ovule development ,
Abstract :
Introduction: The Cucurbitaceae family (Juss) consists of diverse species in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. It is of significant interest due to their anatomical characteristics and medicinal and industrial applications. Luffa cylindrica, a prominent member of this family, is highly valued for its fruit fiber, which is used in cosmetic products, and its medicinal properties in treating diseases such as fever, asthma, and digestive issues. This study investigates the development stages of this species' vegetative (root, stem, leaf, and petiole) and reproductive (pollen and ovule) organs. Methods: Samples from various plant parts were collected and preserved in a glycerin alcohol fixative. After manual sectioning, the samples were stained (double-staining method, carmine red—methylene blue). Apical meristems and flower buds were fixed in FAA, sectioned with a microtome, and stained (hematoxylin-eosin). Results: The results showed that the root and stem have multi-layered structures, including the epidermis, cortex, and central cylinder. The leaves exhibited palisade and spongy mesophyll, and the petioles showed a characteristic hypodermal collenchyma. The vascular bundles in the root and stem were arranged in a collateral pattern. The leaf had dorsoventral mesophyll, which displayed notable similarities with other family members. However, differences in the number of vascular bundles in the stem and petiole were observed. In the reproductive organs, pollen development includes the meiotic division of the microsporocyte and the formation of a bicellular pollen grain. Ovule development was anatomic and unilayered, with the egg cell forming at the center of the embryo sac. Conclusion: These findings not only provide valuable information about the structure and reproduction of Luffa cylindrica, but also highlight significant structural and functional diversity within the Cucurbitaceae. These results could be significant in more accurate classification, understanding phylogenetic relationships, enhancing agricultural productivity, improving medicinal product production, and preserving biodiversity.
1. Xu Z, Chang, L. Cucurbitaceae. In: Identification and Control of Common Weeds. Springer Singapore, Singapura. 2017.
2. Azeez MA, Bello OS, Adedeji AO. Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Luffa cylindrica: a Review. J Med Plants Stud. 2013; 1(5):102-11.
3. Mozaffarian V. Identification of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Iran. Tehran, Farhang Moaser, 2013.
4. Schaefer H, Renner SS. Cucurbitaceae. In: Kubitzki, K. (eds) Flowering Plants. Eudicots. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, vol 10. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. 2010.
5. Ikechukwu OA, Ndukwu BC. The Value of Morpho-Anatomical Features in the Systematics of Cucurbita L. (Cucurbitaceae) species in Nigeria, Afr. J. Biotechnol, 2004; 3(10): 541-546.
6. Ajuru MG, Okoli BE. Comparative Vegetative Anatomy of Some Species of the 640 Family Cucurbitaceae Juss in Nigeria, Res. J. Bot., 2013; 8(1): 15-23
7. Okoli BE, Ndukwu BC. Studies on Nigerian Curcurbita moschata. Nig. J. Bot., 1992; 5; 18-26.
8. Agbagwa IO, Ndukwu BC. The value of morpho-anatomical features in the systematics of Cucurbita L.(Cucurbitaceae) species in Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2004; 3(10): 541-6.
9. Săvulescu E, Hoza G. Research Results Regarding the Anatomy of Momordica charanthia L. 641 species Lucr. St. USAMV Bucuresti, Seria B, 2010; 4; 694-700.
10. Mohammed IA, Abdel Gabbar Guma N. Anatomical Diversity Among Certain Genera of Family Cucurbitaceae. Int. j. res. stud. Biosci, 2015; 3(6); 85-91.
11. Selvaraj N, Vasudevan A, Manickavasagam M, Ganapathi A. In vitro organogenesis and plant formation in cucumber. Biologia plantarum. 2006; 50:123-6.
12. Wahua C, Francis OV. Proximate and Morpho-Anatomical Properties of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Rox. (Cucurbitaceae). Greener J. Biol. Sci., 2024; 14(1): 28-33
13. Vieira LEB, Sá RD, Randau KP. Anatomical and Histochemical Characterization of Leaves of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem. Pharmacog J. 2019;11(3):511-4.
14. Luchian V, Teodosiu G. Research Results Regarding the Anatomy of Some Medicinal Plants of Cucurbitaceae. Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, 2019; LXIII (1): 635-641.
15. Ekeke C, Agogbua JU. Morphological and Anatomical Studies on Trichosanthes cucumerina L.(Cucurbitaceae). Int. J. Plant Soil Sci, 2018; 25(6): 1-8.
16. da Silva HCC, dos Santos Magalhães C, Randau KP. Comparative Morphoanatomic and Histochemical Characterization of Cucurbita pepo L. specimens. Flora, 2024; 315: 152510.
17. Ekeke C, Agogbua J, Okoli BE. Comparative Anatomy of Tendril and Fruit Stalk in Curcubitaceae Juss. from Nigeria. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 2015; 9(4):1875– 1887.
18. Aguoru CU, Okoli BE. Comparative stem and petiole anatomy of West African species of Momordica L (Cucurbitaceae). Afr. J. Plant Sci., 2012; 6(15): 403-409.
19. Burrows GE, Shaik RS. Comparative Developmental Anatomy of the Taproot of the Cucurbitaceous vines Citrullus colocynthis (perennial), Citrullus lanatus (annual) and Cucumis myriocarpus (annual). Aust. J. Bot., 2014; 62: 537–545.
20. Yang SZ, Chen PH, Chen JJ. Stem cambial variants of selected Cucurbitaceae plants in Taiwan. Taiwania. 2023;68(2):241-9.
21. Lekhak MM, Gondaliya AD, Yadav SR, Ghane SG, Rajput KS. Stem and root anatomy of Zanonia indica L.(Cucurbitaceae) and significant adaptations of the aerial roots. IAWA Journal. 2024; 3:(1):1-9.
22. Fahn, A., Plant Anatomy. 4th Ed. New York: Pergamon, 1990; 588p.
23. Metcalfe CR, Chalk L. Anatomy of the Dicotyledons: Leaves, Stem, and Wood in Relation to Taxonomy With Note On Economic Uses. Oxford, Clarendon. 1950
24. Moura MD, Zerbini FM, Silva DJ, Queiroz MA. Reação de acessos de Cucurbita sp. ao Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV). Horticultura Brasileira. 2005;23:206-10.
25. Sá RD, Cadena MB, Padilha RJR, Alves LC, Randau KP. Anatomical Study and Characterization of Metabolites in Leaves of Momordica charantia L. Pharmacogn. J., 2018; 10 (5): 823–826.
26. Rus L, Ielciu II, Păltinean R, Vlase L, Ştefănescu C, Crişan G. Morphological and Histo-Anatomical Study of Bryonia alba L.(Cucurbitaceae). Not Bot Horti Agrobo. 2015; 18:43(1).
27. Kumar P, Bilakanti L. Pharmacognostical studies on tubers of Momordica tuberosa Cogn., Cucurbitaceae. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2010;20:07-11.
28. Davis GL. Systematics embryology of Angiosperms. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1966.
29. Chauhan SVS. Micro- and megasporogenesis in Luffa echinata Roxb. Agra University J. Res. (Sci.), 1970; 19: 37–42.
30. Yao H, Lelong Y, Yanyan C, Zhihu M, Yongping Z, Chuntao Q. Improvement of embryo rescue efficiency in haploid melon (Cucumis melo L.) via irradiated pollen pollination. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC). 2024; 159(2):36.
31. Singh D. Cucurbitaceae. In: Comparative Embryology of Angiosperms. Bull. Indian Nat. Sci. Acad., 1970; 41: 212-219
32. Tian S, Zhang Z, Qin G, Xu Y. Parthenocarpy in cucurbitaceae: advances for economic and environmental sustainability. Plants. 2023; 2, 12(19):3462.
33. Johri BM, Ambegaokar KB, Srivastava PS. Comparative Embryology of Angiosperm Vol. 1 & 2 Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1992.
34. Zhou Y, Gao S, Zhang X, Gao H, Hu Q, Song Y, Jiao Y, Gao H. Morphology and biochemical characteristics of pistils in the staminate flowers of yellow horn during selective abortion. Australian journal of botany. 2012; 16, 60(2):143-53.
35. Goffinet MC. 23 Comparative Ontogeny of Male and Female Flowers of Cucumis sativus. Biology and Utilization of the Cucurbitaceae. 2019; 15:288.
36. Nguyen ML, Huyen TN, Trinh DM, Voronina AV. Association of bud and anther morphology with developmental stages of the male gametophyte of melon (Cucumis melo L.). Vavilov Journal of Genetics and Breeding. 2022; 26(2):146.
37. Sarada D, Pullaiah T. Embryology of Luffa tuberosa. Phytomorphology, 1985; 35: 47-52.