The proportion of hard Geraniaceae seeds ranges from 0 to 100%, depending on species.
By analysing the characteristics of hardseededness through the pathway of water uptake
in soft seeds provided localization of the chalazal area in water uptake. This represents
the most important feature of seed coat permeability. The structural difference between
hard-and softseededness was clarified by comparing different species with exclusively
permeable or impermeable seeds. Soft seeds form a wide opening at the chalazal slit,
while hard ones close the slit using adjacent palisade cells so effectively continuing
the impermeable barrier.
Seed coat - hardseededness - chalaza - seed dormancy - Geraniaceae
