Page 45 - EVS Class 05
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When the seed starts germinating, the root or radicle grows first. Then, the
shoot or the plumule grows. Once, the shoot grows leaves, the plant can
synthesize its own food. After that, the seed dries and falls off.
Dispersal of Seeds
Seed dispersal means scattering of seeds away from the parent plant so that
it gets enough space, air, water and sunlight. Let us discuss about agents of
seed dispersal.
Wind
Some seeds are light in weight and have hair
or wings on them. Dandelion, madar and
cotton seeds have long and fine hair Sycamore tree has winged fruits.
surrounding them. This makes it easy for the
wind to carry the seeds away.
Dandelion Cotton Madar
Water
Some plants grow near water bodies. Their seeds are easily dispersed by
flowing water. Coconut seeds have a fibrous husk and can float on water.
The seeds of lotus and water lily are also dispersed by water.
Lotus seeds dispersed Hydrilla seeds Coconut with its husk
by water. dispersed by water. floating on water.
Explosion
Some fruits burst open and throw out their seeds for dispersal. Examples of
such fruits are pea, balsam and castor.
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