Abstract

MOLINA, Mirta Graciela; KRAUS, T. A.  and  BIANCO, C. A.. Growth form and root anatomy of Stylosanthes hippocampoides and S. montevidensis var. montevidensis. Multequina [online]. 2002, vol.11, n.1, pp.39-49. ISSN 1852-7329.

The objectives of this work are to study growth form and root anatomy of Stylosanthes hippocampoides and S. montevidensis var. montevidensis, and to infer their adaptive characters. Both species were observed during three consecutive years in the hilly area of southern Córdoba. Seeds were placed in glass recipients to study the spatial and temporal sequence of the aerial and subterranean part during their first year of life. Serial transversal cuts of roots were made. Both species show phaneroepigeal seedlings. Root ontogeny shows that roots specialize to accumulate reserves during an early developmental stage, increasing the parenchymatous area of vascular tissues and the ray size in the case of S. montevidensis var. montevidensis, or the ray quantity in S. hippocampoides. There is a relationship between the amount of accumulated substances and the number of innovation sprouts. According to the result analysis, the most important characters that define the growth form of these species are growth direction and branching degree of axes, characteristics of the innovation zone, and structure of the root system.

Keywords : Growth form; Ontogeny; Roots.

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