Posidonia oceanica seedling root structure and development

Abstract

The seedling root system of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica consists of a primary root and up to four adventitious roots. Under culture, germination and early growth began with the emergence of the primary root in the first week. Then the two adventitious root primordia originally present in the seed emerged at 3 and 5 weeks respectively, followed successively by further adventitious roots. Primary roots reached 17 mm at 4 weeks, but then their growth decreased markedly. In contrast the adventitious roots showed a pattern of continued elongation. Anatomical observations of both primary and adventitious roots revealed a multilayered hypodermis of thick-walled cells enclosing a wide cortex (99% of the root transverse area) and narrow stele. A well-distinguished endodermis was only observed in the primary roots, while differentiated xylem elements were found solely in the adventitious roots, but it is unclear to what degree differences between the two root types are due to different root maturity or to their role in water and nutrient uptake. Overall, the P. oceanica seedling root system is composed of multiple, rapidly formed roots which are strong yet flexible due to a large proportion of cortical tissue and further strengthened by a multilayered hypodermis, characteristics which could potentially facilitate initial anchorage and establishment.