Endosperm development

• Endosperm serves as principal nutritive support for embryo in many species, especially the monocots.
• In angiosperm, triploid endosperm is formed after fertilization.
• In pteridophytes and gymnosperm, the endosperm is haploid and produced before fertilization.
• For endosperm development, it acquires energy for growth by the production of outgrowth (haustoria) that penetrate the adjacent maternal nucellus tissue or by direct absorption of nutrients through diffusion from surrounding tissues, specially the nucellus.
• The outermost layer of endosperm develops into aleurone layer with high quantities of protein and has an important role in the synthesis of enzyme that degrade the endosperm during germination.