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Anatomical, Ontogenetic, and Embryological Studies of Plants
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Anatomical, Ontogenetic, and Embryological Studies of Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Development and Morphogenesis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 10711

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ana Maria González

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Guest Editor
Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste (UNNE–CONICET), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Sargento Cabral 2131, Corrientes CP 3400, Argentina
Interests: plant anatomy and embryology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Bartosz Płachno

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Interests: plant biology; cell ultrastructure; pollination; carnivorous plants; plant anatomy; cell wall structure and function
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Angiosperms, an extraordinarily diverse and evolutionarily triumphant group of plants, are distinguished by their unique emblem—the flower. The flower, in the life cycle of angiosperms, is a magnificent organ where the sporophytic generation coexists and alternates with the gametophytic generation. Within the confines of the androecium and gynoecium, two distinct types of spores—microspores and megaspores—are generated, leading to the formation of male and female gametophytes, respectively. The processes of meiosis and double fertilization serve as the pivotal milestones in the life cycle of angiosperms. The concept of double fertilization in angiosperms, first discovered in Liliaceae by Nawaschin (1898, 1899) in Russia and by Guignard (1899) in France in the late 19th century, has since sparked a persistent endeavor to establish its universality and explore its diversity. This proposal for a Special Issue of Plants is dedicated to the ongoing exploration and comprehension of the intricate anatomy of flowers, the ontogeny of sexual whorls, and the nuances in embryology, all of which exhibit boundless diversity. The objective is to extend and enrich the journal’s contribution to the modern understanding of the reproductive biology of flowering plants. This includes delving deeper into the complex processes that govern plant reproduction, exploring the intricate interplay of various biological factors, and shedding light on the remarkable adaptability and diversity exhibited by flowering plants. By doing so, we aspire to foster a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of plant reproduction, thereby facilitating further research and innovation in this fascinating field of study.

Dr. Ana María Gonzalez
Prof. Dr. Bartosz Jan Płachno
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • angiosperms
  • double fertilization
  • embryology
  • flower anatomy
  • megaspores
  • microspores
  • ontogeny
  • plant reproduction
  • reproductive biology
  • sexual whorls

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 8703 KiB  
Article
Histopathology of Thecaphora frezzii Colonization: A Detailed Analysis of Its Journey Through Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Tissues
by María Florencia Romero, Sergio Sebastián Samoluk, José Guillermo Seijo and Ana María Gonzalez
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071083 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 2256
Abstract
Over the past few decades, peanut smut, caused by Thecaphora frezzii, has evolved from an emerging disease to a major global threat to peanut production. However, critical knowledge gaps persist regarding the anatomical pathways and host responses involved in infection, colonization, and [...] Read more.
Over the past few decades, peanut smut, caused by Thecaphora frezzii, has evolved from an emerging disease to a major global threat to peanut production. However, critical knowledge gaps persist regarding the anatomical pathways and host responses involved in infection, colonization, and sporulation. This study examines the pathosystem and histopathology of the biotrophic phase of T. frezzii in the susceptible cv. Granoleico. Anatomical analyses were conducted using light microscopy, confocal laser scanning, and scanning electron microscopy. Our findings reveal that T. frezzii enters the host through the peg rather than the ovary tip, invading during the R2-subterranean phase. Fruit colonization occurs at the R3-stage when the mechanical layer between the mesocarp and endocarp has not yet formed. Hyphal entry into the seed takes place between the R3-medium and R3-late pod stages via the funiculus, leading to extensive seed coat colonization without penetrating the embryo. Once inside, hyperplasia and hypertrophy are triggered, coinciding with teliospore formation. Teliosporogenesis disrupts nutrient translocation, arresting embryo development. The hyphae colonize tissues intracellularly, utilizing living cells of the vascular bundles and following the peanut’s photoassimilate transport pathway. Investigating these structural responses in phenotypically contrasting peanut genotypes may provide key insights into the anatomical barriers and defense mechanisms that determine disease susceptibility and resistance, ultimately contributing to the development of resistant cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anatomical, Ontogenetic, and Embryological Studies of Plants)
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20 pages, 20323 KiB  
Article
Are Cactus Spines Modified Leaves? Morphological and Anatomical Characterization of Saguaro Seedlings (Carnegiea gigantea) with Special Focus on Aerial Organ Primordia
by Cristina Betzabeth Miravel-Gabriel, Ryan Koeth, Nayelli Marsch-Martínez and Tania Hernández-Hernández
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3406; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233406 - 4 Dec 2024
Viewed by 5116
Abstract
The reduction of leaves was a key event in the evolution of the succulent syndrome in Cactaceae, evolving from large, photosynthetic leaves in Pereskia to nearly suppressed microscopic foliar buds in succulent Cactoideae. This leaf reduction was accompanied by the development of [...] Read more.
The reduction of leaves was a key event in the evolution of the succulent syndrome in Cactaceae, evolving from large, photosynthetic leaves in Pereskia to nearly suppressed microscopic foliar buds in succulent Cactoideae. This leaf reduction was accompanied by the development of spines. Early histological studies, dating back a century, of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) in several species concluded that, in succulent cacti, axillary buds became areoles and leaves transformed into spines. However, these conclusions were based on limited observations, given the challenges of obtaining SAM samples from long-lived, often endangered species. Here, we present a complete study of early aerial organ development in seedlings of the iconic Carnegiea gigantea (saguaro), characterizing the different stages of seedling development. We focus on the SAM to track the emergence and development of primordia and aerial organs, closely following the spine development from undifferentiated structures. We demonstrate that young, few-days-old saguaro seedlings provide a valuable model for morpho-anatomical and molecular studies in Cactaceae. We also outline optimal laboratory practices for germinating saguaro seeds and conducting histological studies. Our observations confirm the absence of clear foliar structures and the presence of a distinct type of primordia, hypothesized to be foliar but lacking definitive foliar features. Based on our observations and a review of the literature, we revive the discussion on the ontogenetic origin of spines and propose saguaro seedlings as a promising model for studying the genetic identity of SAM primordia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anatomical, Ontogenetic, and Embryological Studies of Plants)
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15 pages, 4464 KiB  
Article
Effects of Artificially Modified Microbial Communities on the Root Growth and Development of Tall Fescue in Nutrient-Poor Rubble Soil
by Zhengyu Luo, Hongrui Han, Hui Yao, Guoru Yan, Jinxin Bai, Lihao Shi, Xiangjun Pei, Jingji Li and Qiang Li
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3307; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233307 - 25 Nov 2024
Viewed by 991
Abstract
The granite rubble soil produced through excavation during construction is nutrient-poor and has a simplified microbial community, making it difficult for plants to grow and increasing the challenges of ecological restoration. Recent studies have demonstrated that microbial inoculants significantly promote plant growth and [...] Read more.
The granite rubble soil produced through excavation during construction is nutrient-poor and has a simplified microbial community, making it difficult for plants to grow and increasing the challenges of ecological restoration. Recent studies have demonstrated that microbial inoculants significantly promote plant growth and are considered a potential factor influencing root development. Microorganisms influence root development either directly or indirectly, forming beneficial symbiotic relationships with plant roots. However, the mechanisms by which microorganisms affect root development and root anatomy, as well as the dynamics of soil microbial communities following the artificial application of microbial inoculants, remain unclear. This experiment utilized granite rubble soil from construction excavation in a pot trial, implementing five different treatment methods. After the fast-growing grass species tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was planted, four growth-promoting microbial inoculants—Bacillus subtilis (K), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (JD), Aspergillus niger (H), and Trichoderma harzianum (HC)—were applied to the soil in the pots. These treatments were compared with a control group (CK) that received no microbial inoculant. At 120 days of plant growth, the composition of the soil microbial community, biomass, root structure, and root anatomy were measured for each treatment group. This analysis aimed to explore the effects of different microbial treatments on the microbial communities and root development of Festuca arundinacea root soil. The study found that the addition of microbial inoculants reduced the number of microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of bacteria and fungi in the soil, affecting both the marker species and their abundance at the phylum level. Additionally, microbial inoculants promoted the development of the tall fescue root structure, increasing metrics such as the total root length, root surface area, root volume, and root-to-shoot ratio per plant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the area ratios of various components in the root anatomy of tall fescue’s primary roots, such as the root cortex area, stele area, and the number of lateral roots, were influenced by Proteobacteria. Mortierellomycota was found to affect the root epidermis area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anatomical, Ontogenetic, and Embryological Studies of Plants)
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18 pages, 4179 KiB  
Article
Intraspecific Variability of Xylem Hydraulic Traits of Calligonum mongolicum Growing in the Desert of Northern Xinjiang, China
by Quanling Zhang, Hui Shen, Lan Peng, Ye Tao, Xiaobing Zhou, Benfeng Yin, Zhiqiang Fan and Jing Zhang
Plants 2024, 13(21), 3005; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213005 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1135
Abstract
Plant hydraulic traits are essential for understanding and predicting plant drought resistance. Investigations into the mechanisms of the xylem anatomical traits of desert shrubs in response to climate can help us to understand plant survival strategies in extreme environments. This study examined the [...] Read more.
Plant hydraulic traits are essential for understanding and predicting plant drought resistance. Investigations into the mechanisms of the xylem anatomical traits of desert shrubs in response to climate can help us to understand plant survival strategies in extreme environments. This study examined the xylem anatomical traits and related functional traits of the branches of seven Calligonum mongolicum populations along a precipitation gradient, to explore their adaptive responses to climatic factors. We found that (1) the vessel diameter (D), vessel diameter contributing to 95% of hydraulic conductivity (D95), hydraulic weighted vessel diameter (Dh), vessel density (VD), percentage of conductive area (CA), thickness-to-span ratio of vessels ((t/b)2), and theoretical hydraulic conductivity (Kth) varied significantly across sites, while the vessel group index (Vg), wood density (WD), and vulnerability index (VI) showed no significant differences. (2) Principal component analysis revealed that efficiency-related traits (Kth, Dh, D95) and safety-related traits (VI, VD, inter-wall thickness of the vessel (t)) were the primary factors driving trait variation. (3) Precipitation during the wettest month (PWM) had the strongest influence, positively correlating with (t/b)2 and negatively with D, D95, Dh, CA, and Kth. (4) Structural equation modeling confirmed PWM as the main driver of Kth, with indirect effects through CA. These findings indicate that C. mongolicum displays high plasticity in xylem traits, enabling adaptation to changing environments, and providing insight into the hydraulic strategies of desert shrubs under climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anatomical, Ontogenetic, and Embryological Studies of Plants)
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