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The cuticle of the palisade layer is the key factor that determines the permeability property of a soybean seed coat. The cuticle of a permeable seed coat is mechanically weak and develops small cracks through which water can pass. The cuticle of an impermeable seed coat is mechanically strong and does not crack under normal circumstances.

Seeds of different cultivars of Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean) have strikingly different rates of water imbibition. Seeds that readily imbibe water are termed 'soft', while those that remain non-permeable, even after several days in water, are referred to as 'hard', 'stone', or 'impermeable' seeds. What prevents soybean hard seeds from taking up water? Previous work established that the initial imbibition of soft soybean seeds correlates with the presence of small cracks in the outermost cuticle that covers the seed coat, prompting a detailed analysis of soybean seed coat cutin. In this paper, it is shown that the outermost cuticle of the seed coat has an unusual chemical composition, lacking typical mid-chain-hydroxylated fatty acids but being relatively rich in other types of hydroxylated fatty acids. The cuticle of the impermeable cultivar studied contained a disproportionately high amount of hydroxylated fatty acids relative to that of the permeable ones. Moreover, a brief treatment with hot alkali released the omega-hydroxy fatty acid component of the outermost cuticle and created holes in it that caused the seeds to become permeable. This demonstrates that the outermost cuticle of the seed is the critical structure that prevents water uptake by hard seeds.

The endodermis and exodermis are the inner- and outermost cortical layers, respectively, of a root. Both are characterized by the development of Casparian bands in their anticlinal walls. Endodermal Casparian bands normally appear within 10 mm of the root tip, while exodermal Casparian bands are typically deposited farther from the tip. All Casparian bands contain the biopolymers lignin and suberin, allowing the endodermis and exodermis to serve as filtration sites for the passive movement of ions between the soil solution and the stele. Later in development, suberin lamellae are frequently deposited as secondary walls, which will reduce the transmembrane transport of ions and water. In some species, tertiary walls are also formed; their main function is postulated to be mechanical support of the root. Recent research with fluorescence and electron microscopy has revealed some important details of development and structure of these wall modifications. Further, chemical analyses of enzymatically isolated wall modifications have shown the chemical basis for the endodermis and exodermis as apoplastic barriers. Studies of Arabidopsis at the molecular level are shedding light on the genetic control of endodermal morphogenesis. In contrast, molecular aspects of exodermal development are totally unknown. Future work will benefit from a combined molecular and biochemical approach to the endodermis and exodermis.Key words: Casparian band, endodermis, exodermis, lignin, molecular biology, suberin, suberin lamella, tertiary wall.

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