How Seed Maturity Works
The seed, which is the embryo of a plant or animal is actually part of a group of spermatogenic cells known as sperms. The development of a seed into a seedling is a very important part of a plant’s reproductive process and it is also important for the development of all other plant parts. The sperms in a seed reproduce and divide before they are absorbed into the plant’s reproductive system and a seed begins its development into a new plant.
Seeds are made up of a germinal epithelium (seed coat) and an anionic matrix (seed coat). The germinal epithelium surrounds the seed‘s embryo and the abiotic matrix surrounds the outside of the seed.
The abiotic matrix is made up of a combination of both living and non-living materials that help in forming the seeds and protecting them from the damage that’s caused by a plant’s environment. These materials can include a number of minerals, water, and a complex mixture of amino acids. As the seed matures it becomes a plant, called a flower. Flowering plants have to have a protective abiotic matrix to protect their seed from damage that might occur during a dormant period.
As a seed matures, it can absorb the protective substance that surrounds it and become a flower that has not formed a seed coat. This type of seed may take some time for the abiotic matrix to form, however, so this is a very important step. In the meantime the seed remains unharmed and can continue to reproduce itself and take on a new life as a fruit or vegetable.
When a seed first begins to form, a protein complex called the germ plasm is present. The germ plasm is a combination of various proteins and carbohydrates that help in the development of the plant. The process of cell division occurs when one or more of these proteins (the DNA and RNA) are copied. As the DNA copy is completed, the cell begins to form its own chromosome.
Chromosome number is usually determined at the time of fertilization. After the sperm penetrates the egg, the plastic material is combined with the sperm and used to replicate the embryo and the chromosomes from which the seeds are made. After the chromosomes are made the plasm is used to fill the abiotic matrix and form the plant’s nucleus. This allows the seed coat.
Once the outer protective layer of the seed coat is developed, another complex process known as the seed coat develops and protects the remaining inner seed coat from being exposed to damage. This is what we refer to as the pericarp. The pericarp is made up of keratin and contains all the same proteins as the germ plasm but has a different structure. As the pericarp matures it is able to protect the seed from external damage and allows it to develop into a plant’s leaf.
As the plant matures and the outer protective layer begins to peel away, the pericarp layer can begin to break down, creating a cuticle. This is the time for the plant to be harvested, after which the cuticle hardens and breaks down.
Once the cuticle hardens and starts to break down, the plant needs to be harvested during the harvest season to prevent it from rotting. To harvest a bean, it is necessary to separate the pericarp from the seed by hand. This is an important process because the seed coat, if not separated and removed, can rot causing problems with the taste and texture of the bean.
When harvesting the bean it is important to use a forklift to remove the seed coat because of its sensitive nature. A dull or sharp cutting edge will cause damage to the seed coat. The seed coat should also be removed from other bean crops that are not used for cooking so that it is not exposed to heat.
Once the bean is harvested, it must be placed in a drying room that is properly ventilated and has a high air circulation level so that the bean does not overheat during the drying process. The bean should not be allowed to dry out completely; instead it should be allowed to dry for a couple of hours.