Composition of globoid crystals from embryo protein bodies in five species of cucurbita

Previous energy-dispersive x-ray analysis studies of globoid crystal composition in seed protein bodies gave an indication that there might be a correlation between seed size and the type of elements stored in globoid crystals. This possibility was tested by conducting energy-dispersive x-ray analysis studies of P, K, Mg, and Ca levels in globoid crystals of four embryo regions (radicle, stem, cotyledon center palisade mesophyll, cotyledon center spongy mesophyII) in each of five different Cucurbita species (C. mixta, C. moschata, C. foetidissima, C. pepo, and C. andreana). The species were chosen to provide a range of seed size and weight. Globoid crystals from all embryo regions in all five species contained P, K, and Mg. Some variations in the levels of these elements did occur but there was no consistent pattern with regard to area of the seed or with regard to seed size. Calcium distribution showed significant variations. In species with large seeds (C. mixta, C. moschata) Ca was mainly found in globoid crystals in the radicle. Globoid crystals in species with small seeds (C. foetidissima, C. pepo, C. andreana) contained Ca in all embryo regions tested. The results of this study support the concept that Ca distribution in globoid crystals can be correlated with seed weight.