Seed Anatomy

1
Seed Anatomy

• The cotyledons are the seed leaves that store
  food to be used for germination.
• The plant embryo is made of three main parts.
  They are epicotyl, hypocotyl and radicle.
• The epicotyl is the top.

2

• The hypocotyl is the middle.
• The radicle is the bottom.
• The seed coat provides protection for the seed.
• See page 539

3
Seed Development

• Germination is when a plant starts grow from the
  seed.
• When seeds germinate, they absorb water. This
  makes the cotyledons swell and crack open the
  seed coat.
• The radicle develops into the primary root.

4

• The proper amount of water and temperature signal
  the seed to germinate.
• If these conditions are not correct the seed
  enters a period of dormancy. This is when the
  plant embryo stays alive but does not grow.

5
Artificial Vegetative Reproduction

• Three main types cuttings, layering, and
  grafting.
• Cutting is when a plant grows from a piece cut
  from the stem.
• Layering is similar to cutting, except the stem
  is cut long ways and treated with rooting powder.
  This helps root development

6

• Grafting and budding is when the top of one plant
  that does not grow a strong root system to a
  strong root system from a different plant.
• The cut piece is the scion and the part it is
  attached to is called the stock.