Delineation of post-phloem assimilate transport pathway into developing caryopsis of Brachypodium distachyon

Abstract Assimilates stored in mature cereal grains are mobilized from source tissues and transported towards developing grains through the vascular bundle. Due to the lack of direct vascular connection between maternal grain vascular bundle and filial tissues, post-phloem transportation of assimilates into grain endosperm relies on transfer cells that lie between the grain vascular bundle and the endosperm. Here, we propose Caryopsis Endosperm Assimilate Acquisition Route (CEAAR) models that describes the exact path of assimilate import into caryopsis endosperms. Using fluorescent tracer dyes we also delineated the route of assimilate delivery into Brachypodium distachyon endosperm and classified it as ventral circuitous (vc-CEAAR), an assimilate import model also found in rice. Furthermore, we report a detailed anatomical study of post-phloem assimilate transport pathway in developing grains of Brachypodium distachyon . Our results highlight major anatomical similarities and differences between the grain post-phloem transfer cells of Brachypodium and those of crop species such as rice, wheat, and barley relevant to post-phloem assimilate transport. Highlights Based on existing work, we propose Caryopsis Endosperm Assimilate Acquisition Route (CEAAR) models, that describes the exact path of assimilate import into caryopsis endosperms. The structure of the post-phloem transfer cells of Brachypodium distachyon mirrors temperate and tropical cereals. Assimilate delivery into Brachypodium distachyon endosperm is identical to assimilate import into rice endosperm.