CHARACTERIZATION OF GLOBOIDS AND IRON-RICH PARTICLES IN COTYLEDONS OFPINUS-BANKSIANA SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS

The cotyledons of Pinus banksiana Lamb. from dry seeds and seedlings w ere studied for differences in the elements present in globoids. Globo ids are mineral nutrient storage bodies. Parallel studies were conduct ed on iron-rich particles. A comparison of globoids from cotyledons of dry seeds with those of seedlings found that P, K, and Mg levels decl ined markedly, while Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mn levels increased significantly . A comparison of iron-rich particles showed that levels of P, K, Mg, and Ca changed, while Fe, Zn, and Mn remained unchanged. The iron-rich particles persisted during cotyledon greening and were definitely loc ated in chloroplasts. This is the first report of such particles in ch loroplasts of conifers.