Seed Coat Microsculpturing in Brassica and Allied Genera (Subtribes Brassicinae, Raphaninae, Moricandiinae)

To obtain new information on the taxonomy of Brassica and allied genera, seed surfaces of 44 species (78 accessions) belonging to 11 genera of subtribes Brassicinae, Raphaninae and Moricandiinae were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Ten types of basic ornamentation patterns were recognized. While four types were represented by only one species each, six types had more than one species either representing one genus (two types) or more (four types). The different species in each of the six types could generally be distinguished from each other on the basis of differences in microsculpturing features. This analysis provides evidence for the close relationship among the various genera within the subtribe Brassicinae, and also the closeness of Raphanus , Enarthrocarpus and Moricandia of subtribe Raphaninae and Moricandiinae, respectively, with the Brassicinae.