VASCULARIZATION AND STARCH GRAINS DURING THE MORPHOGENESIS OF PEACH FLORAL BUDS ON DIFFERENT FLOWERING DATE

The anatomical aspects of vascularization and distribution of starch during the morphogenesis of the floral bud are unknown for Prunus persica (L.), and this knowledge helps to predict the degree of vascularization and susceptibility of the bud to cold temperatures. The aim of the present study was to compare the differentiation of the xylem and the distribution of starch in flower buds, from the phenological stage (PS) "dormancy" to "visible stamens" in the Puebla, CP Precoz and Zacatecas cultivars (early, intermediate and late flowering). Sampling was carried out completely at random (two flower buds of the middle part of five mixed twigs (one year old), from 10 trees (per cultivar) from October 29th (autumn) to March 19th (winter), 2012. The tissues were fixed in a formaldehyde - alcohol-water (FAA) solution, and processed in Paraplast. Serial sections were stained using Safranin O and Fast green FCF. The anatomical changes observed were consistent for each PS studied, regardless of the cultivar and flowering date. At the start of the PS "dormancy" there was no vascular connection between the pedicel and the ovary. In the PS "swollen bud," the xylem reached the base of the ovary and starch was found in the ovary and anthers. In the PS "buds with visible calyx," the xylem reached the stigma and the starch remained in the ovary and anthers. In the PS "pink tip," the anther matured and presented no starch. In the PS "visible stamens," the stigma and the ovule matured and starch was almost absent. The presence of starch preceded the differentiation of the xylem. The vascularization in the vegetative whorls was delayed in the intermediate and late cultivars, in contrast with the early cultivar.