The effect of simulated microgravity on seed germination and seedling anatomy of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Seed germination and root anatomy were investigated in seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris L. developed on a slowly rotating bi-dimensional clinostat and in 1g. Germination time, percent germination, curvature and anatomy of developing root apexes were monitored on the clinostat and compared with the control. Interesting differences were found in germination and root features of the seeds developed on the clinostat compared with 1g ones: the main being germination time, root cap formation, the quantity and distribution of amyloplasts in statocytes. The use of a software to quantitatively analyse root cap anatomy allowed us to detect some differences otherwise unlikely to highlight. Our results showed that prolonged rotation on a bi-dimensional clinostat has an effect on some aspects of germination and on the statocytes that continuously perceives gravity from ever-changing directions.