Seed Dispersal


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Seed Dispersal

Seed Dispersal:  

Once the seeds are produced, it becomes necessary that they should be dispersed to different places to produce new plants. If all the seeds fall off just underneath the parent plant, there would be competition for food, water, minerals, light and space. As a result, seeds may not grow as healthy plants or they may die due to scarcity of essential conditions for germination.  To avoid this competition, the fruits and seeds are carried away to distant places normally by wind, water and animals or by their own fruit explosion mechanism.

Dispersal by Wind: Seeds and fruits dispersed by wind are small and light. These seeds and fruits have following features:

  • Some seeds have wings which help them in their dispersal. For example, the seeds of drumstick and maple.
  •  The seeds of Madar have tufts of hair that can be carried away easily by the wind.
  •  Fruits of some trees like Sheesham and Siris become flattened and light to be blown away by air.
  •  Some seeds are dispersed by wind by the censer mechanism. Their fruits become perforated to release seeds by swinging in the air. Examples are seeds of Luffa (tori) and Datura.
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    Sample Questions
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    Question : 1

    Which of the following are correct ?

    (a) Seeds and fruits that are dispersed by wind are small and light.

    (b) Some seeds have wings which help them in their dispersal. For example, the seeds of Aloe Vera and apple.

    (c) The seeds of Madar have tufts of hair that can be carried away easily by the wind.

    Right Option : C
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    Question : 2

    There are five main modes of seed dispersal: __________ wind, ballistic, water, and by animals. 

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    The fruits of ______________________ become perforated to release seeds by swinging in the air.

    Right Option : B
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