The comparison of nectaries structure of some varieties of ornamental apple

Abstract

The study of floral nectary structures of thirteen ornamental apple cultivars examined using light microscope (MS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed. It was found that nectary glands in the selected cultivars were located in the upper part of the flower receptacle, between the ovary of the pistil and the base of stamen filaments, and they generally belonged to the epimorphic or transitoric type. The nectary surface area, its thickness, the number of glandular tissue layers, the height of epidermal cells of the nectary and the thickness of the outer wall of the epidermis, together with the cuticle, were determined by light microscope. By using SEM, the structure of the surface of nectaries in four ornamental apple cultivars was observed. The epidermis of the upper part of the nectaries was composed of elongated cells of which outer cell wall was covered with a striated cuticle. The remaining part of the nectary was characterised by cells of similar arrangement and shape, but their surface was marked by a thinner and smoother layer of cuticle. Closed or opened stomata were generally situated at the level of the epidermal cells. Their pores were often filled with granular or plate-shaped structures.