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) Once the seeds are produced, it becomes necessary that they should be dispersed to different places to produce new plants.

    (b) If all the seeds fall off just underneath the parent plant, there would be competition for food, water, minerals, light and space.

    Right Option : C
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    Question : 2

    Which of the following are correct ?

    (a) Some seeds are swallowed by animals as food and eliminated with their feces. When these seeds get suitable conditions they germinate and grow into new plants.

    (b) The seeds of Xanthium and tiger nail stick to the hair of animals and are carried away to far off places.

    (c) The seeds of Cucumber and Watermelon stick to the animal bodies and get dispersed to distant areas.

    Right Option : D
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    Question : 3

    Seed dispersal is the movement, spread or transport of _______away from the parent plant.

    Right Option : C
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