Abstract:

This presentation describes the microscopic observation of a pseudo cereal or buckwheat (Fagopyrum species, family: Polygonaceae). The structure of the seed starchy endosperm cells was investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In this study, the morphological differences were observed between normal and tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum and F. tataricum, respectively). From the photomicrographs, the common buckwheat endosperm contains small polygonal starch granules, ranging in size from 7 to 9 μm. Meanwhile, the seed size from tartary buckwheat was also recorded. During this experiment, a publication provided microscopical evidences of the Fagopyrum seed. It is found that the characteristics of both samples were equivalent with the report. Following the computer aided three-dimensional reconstructions of the buckwheat embryo, it is concluded that the shape and size of the embryo in buckwheat seeds are presently resolved.