THE INTRAPOPULATION HETEROSPERMIA OF SOME ORCHID SPECIES

Abstract

The aim of the work was a comparative morphological study of the peculiarities of the structure of seeds of certain Orchidaceae species from various subfamilies growing on the territory of the mainland Ukraine and Crimea. Methods. In order to carry out the morphological analysis , the seeds were examined on a scanning electron microscope JSM-6060 LA (JEOL, Japan). The size of the structures on the obtained microphotographs was determined using the UTHSCSA Image Tool 3.0 program. The morphometric parameters of the seeds were determined in accordance with the average size of viable seeds for a particular species of orchids. The seed index , the embryo index , and the relative size of the embryo were analyzed. The results of the comparative study of features of the structure of seeds of orchids ( Orchidaceae family) of domestic flora: ( Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch., Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz, Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo. s.l., Anacamptis coriophora (L.) R.M. Bateman) are presented. The significant heterogeneity of seeds of the studied species is revealed. The morphological analysis established that at the time of dissemination the major part of the studied seeds of orchids were nonviable. Species of orchids with the greatest part of viable seeds with large embryos ( D. incarnata and C. longifolia ) are considered as perspective reintroducents. Conclusion . The results of the research can contribute to the scientific and practical developments aimed at creation of reserve genetic collections in botanical gardens and in reserved areas and also at restitution of a number of natural populations of rare and endangered species.