+1 862 207 3288 Maize grain is a caryopsis type of single seeded dry fruit. Maize grain is somewhat oval and flattened in shape. The flat surface on the narrower side shows a white triangular region, which is the embryo. The broad and yellowish region is the endosperm.
A longitudinal section of the maize grain soaked for 2 or 3 days , should be taken along the endosperm-embryo axis and stained with dilute iodine solution in order to study its structure. The outermost coat enclosing the entire grains formed of inseparably fused fruit coat (pericarp) and seed coat, and is called hull. The hull is not stained by iodine. In longitudinal section the seed shows two distinct regions viz. the endosperm and embryo.
Endosperm:
The Endosperm occupies about 2/3 of the total seed and is located in the broader part of the maize grain. There is a continuous layer of the large cubical cells immediately beneath the hull and is called aleurone layer. This aleurone layer contains protein granules. The rest of the endosperm consists of starch-laden cells, which also contain some lipid.
Embryo:
The embryo of the maize grain is located beneath the endosperm. It is demarcated from the latter by a single layer of epithelial cells. The embryo consists of a radicle and a plumule. The radicle is partially covered and protected by colerorhiza. The plumule is partially covered and protected by coleoptile. All these parts are enclosed completely in shield-shaped scutellum. The cotyledon is called scutellum. The epithelial layer mentioned above is the part of scutellum. The cells of the epithelial layer secrete digestive enzymes during seed germination which digest the nutrients in the endosperm and absorb them. These nutrients help in the development and growth of the seedling.
Coleorhiza :
Colerorhiza partially covers and protects the radicle in the embryo of the maize seed.
