Morphological Characteristics of Turion Formation and Development in Spirodela polyrhiza

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This study explored the formation and germination of turions—specialized asexual storage organs—in the greater duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza, under conditions of phosphate limitation. These turions accumulate significant amounts of starch to serve as energy reserves for overwintering and future metabolic activity. Using visual inspection and light microscopy, researchers observed that immature turions develop from pockets in the mother fronds, showing violet spots on their surfaces due to the presence of anthocyanins. Germination was marked by the emergence of new fronds and roots from the turion's prophyllum. The findings highlight the distribution of anthocyanins in both the fronds and turions, providing insights into the developmental processes involved in turion formation and sprouting in S. polyrhiza.

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Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
Volume 29, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 1677-1689

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