A seed is one of the small, hard parts of a plant that can give rise to a new plant. It usually has a protective coat and food reserves.
The embryo within a seed is the beginning of a plant, consisting of cotyledons (first leaves), a radicle, and an endosperm. It also contains nutrients that the plant needs to grow and develop.
Germination
Seed germination is the process of a seed emerging from its seed coat and starting to grow into a plant. The germination of seeds depends on many factors, including temperature, moisture, oxygen, and nutrients.
Water: The uptake of water in the seed is essential for germination, as it helps to soften the seed coat and start the breakdown of starch into sugars that can be consumed by the embryo. It also leaches away inhibitors that inhibit germination.
Temperature: The right temperatures are required for germination to begin, and certain seeds can only germinate at specific temperatures. The temperature of the seed’s environment affects the speed of chemical processes and changes how much energy a seed needs to start growing.
Nutrients: A healthy seed needs a wide range of nutrients, which vary from plant to plant. These include carbohydrates (mainly starch), proteins, and oil.
In some species, the germination of seeds may depend on how deep they are buried in the soil. For example, Achnatherum inebrians has been shown to bury its seeds deeply in order to survive drought stress.
Storage
Storage of seeds is a critical component of seed quality and viability management. The storability of seeds is not only influenced by the kind or variety, but also depends on their initial condition and the duration of storage.
Optimal storage conditions involve a dry, cool environment with low relative humidity. The ideal temperature range for most kinds is from 59 to 63degF (15 to 17degC).
The lower the moisture content, the longer seeds can be stored without deterioration. Physiochemical reactions begin to take place and fungi and insects become active if the moisture content is above 13%.
This is why it is important to store seeds in an appropriate airtight container. Glass Kilner jars or laminated aluminum foil packages are excellent choices. Self-indicating silica gel sachets can be placed in these containers to monitor relative humidity.
Planting
Planting a few trees in your yard is not only fun, it can also be a real winner when it comes to the environment. Trees help to slow down global warming by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide. They also absorb ozone, which is important for breathing healthily in many parts of the world where ground-level ozone levels have dipped to dangerously low levels as a result of pollution from coal and other fossil fuel sources.
There are hundreds of different types of plants, from microscopic algae to redwoods that tower over 100 feet in the air. Each type is designed to fill a niche in the planetary landscape. Some of the more impressive features of plants include their ability to capture and store energy, their use of sunlight for photosynthesis (a process that uses water and carbon dioxide to produce glucose), and their contribution to reducing ozone layer pollution.
Harvesting
Harvesting is the process of collecting a crop at the appropriate time. The right timing is important for ensuring good quality crops. It also prevents losses due to field animals, plant diseases or weather conditions.
Before the crops can be harvested, land must be prepared. This includes planting, fertilizing, irrigation, and protection from weeds. It also involves removing the seedlings by hand or with the help of specialized equipment.
When trees are cut down to make space for farmland, the natural habitats of plants and wildlife are destroyed. This deforestation is a major contributor to climate change. It also leaves the land unfriendly for future growth and development of ecosystems, because it removes nutrients and water from the soil.
Another environmental issue is erosion, which removes soil from the ground and exposes bedrock. This leads to loss of site nutrient capital, a key feature of site capability. This is critical for sustaining healthy forests and other ecosystems.