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Life Cycle
seed.html
The Weed Seed
The weed seed is the form of the plant that has the longest life, primarily
because of its longevity in the soil seed bank (even if for only one year).
The life cycle of the seed starts with the shift of the vegetative plant
from growth to reproduction. The matures on the parent plant and is dispersed
usually to the soil seed bank, its home until the next growing season. It
remains in the soil seed bank in a fairly stable condition because of seed
dormancy. The seed phase of the life cycle ends with seed germination and
emergence.
Weed Seed
Seed: Fertilized, mature (ripened) ovule having an embryonic plant,
stored food material (rarely missing; endosperm or perisperm), an a protective
coat (testa) or coats
Roles of seed:
1. vehicle for species multiplication
2. dispersal role
3. protection during conditions unfavorable for germination and development
(dormancy; seedbank)
4. temporary source of food for the embryo
5. source for transfer of new genetic combinations (diversity)
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