Agricultural Study Materials

Seed – what is seed- what is seed in simply world – Functions of seeds

seed’ (in some plants, referred to as a ‘kernel’) is a small embryonic ’plant’ enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some ‘stored food’. Seeds fundamentally are a means of reproduction and most seeds are the product of ‘sexual reproduction’, which remixes genetic material and ‘phenotype variability’ that ‘natural selection’ acts upon

The seed is the basic input in agriculture upon which other inputs are applied. A good vigorous seed utilizes all the resources and realizes a reasonable output to the grower. It is wealth to the farmer since yesterday’s harvest is tomorrow’s hope. Good seed in good soil realizes a good yield. Moreover, it is the link between two generations. Functions of seeds

•Nourishment of the embryo

•Dispersal to a new location

•Dormancy during unfavourable conditions Characteristics of good seed

•Genetically pure

•Free from designated diseases like loose smut in wheat

•Free from objectionable weed seed like wild paddy in paddy

•Have good shape, size, colour, etc. according to specifications of variety

•Have high physical soundness and weight

•Posses high physiological vigour and stamina

•Posses high longevity and shelf life

•Have optimum moisture content for storage

•Long term storage: 8% and below

•Short term storage: 10-13%

•Have high market value

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