0 the layer which grows around the seed of a plant and forms the skin and flesh of the fruit -- owocnia
The pericarp appears to form the main natural barrier to desiccation under both natural and artificial conditions of seed storage.
The seeds are surrounded by the pericarp and sepals and do not become dormant.
That is obvious, considering the high overlap index of their diet in fruit sizes and vegetable forms eaten (flowers, seeds, pericarps, entire fruits).
There is no doubt that the presence of a fleshy pericarp is inhibitory to seed germination in some plants.
One possible factor is the integrity of the pericarp, which acts as a screen against pathogenic infection and also plays an important role in osmoregulation.
However, if the autumn-winter temperature is low and the soil is damp, the pericarp should afford efficient protection against water loss.
After removal of the pericarp and testa, 20 seeds from each of the pretreatments, dried as well as undried, were ground in liquid nitrogen.
Subsequently, the part of the pericarp covering the embryo was removed and the embryo was gently detached from the adjacent tissue using a dissecting needle.
