Application of whole sections of mature cereal seeds to visualize the morphology of endosperm cell and starch and the distribution of storage protein

• The whole section method of mature cereal seed was established in the study.
• The method was suitable for developing, germinated, and gelatinized cereal seed.
• The rice, maize and wheat seeds were longitudinally and transversely sectioned.
• The endosperm cell had different shape and size in different regions of endosperm.
• Starch and storage protein had heterogeneous distribution in endosperm.

The morphology of endosperm cell and starch and the distribution of storage protein affect the kernel weight and endosperm quality of cereal crops, and are of interest for crop breeders. They are significantly different in different regions of endosperm. Therefore, it is very important for in situ investigation of the morphology of endosperm cell and starch and the distribution of storage protein in mature cereal seed. In the present study, we reported a method for preparing the whole section of mature rice, maize, and wheat seeds. The section could be easily stained with fluorescent brightener 28, iodine solution, and coomassie brilliant blue R250 to exhibit the cell wall, starch, and storage protein. The observation of whole section of seed showed that the morphology of endosperm cell and starch and the distribution of storage protein were significantly different in different regions of endosperm of rice, maize, and wheat seed. The method could in situ investigate the morphology of endosperm cell and starch and the distribution of storage protein in not only mature cereal seed but also developing, germinated, and gelatinized cereal seed. This study was very useful for investigation of cereal seed development and utilization.