Analysis of surface growth in the conifer shoot apical meristem

Abstract

Premise of research. The structure and organization of the conifer shoot apical meristem was investigated using confocal microscopy of whole-mount shoot apical meristems. This article presents detailed surface and internal patterns that provide an informative and comparative model of meristem growth that is able to account for the diversity and variation of conifer meristem form. Methodology. Confocal microscopy; light microscopy. Pivotal results. On the surface of the meristem, two zones with distinct cell division patterns were recognized. The first is the summit zone that covers the apex of the meristem dome, and the second is the peripheral zone that covers the flanks of the meristem. In..