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Seed- This writeup is about biological seeds; for the Buddhist metaphor, see bija.
A seed is the ripened ovule of gymnosperm or angiosperm plants. The importance of the seed relative to more primitive forms of reproduction and dispersal is attested to by the success of these two groups of plants in dominating the landscape.
Seed structure
A seed contains the embryo from which a new plant will grow under proper conditions. It also contains a supply of stored food and is wrapped in a seed coat. The stored food begins as a tissue called endosperm derived from the parent plant. Endosperm becomes rich in oil or starch, and protein. In some species, the embryo is imbedded in the endosperm, which the seedling will use upon germination. In others, the endosperm is absorbed by the embryo as the latter grows within the developing seed, and the cotyledons of the embryo become filled with this stored food. At maturity, seeds of these species have no endosperm. Some common plant seeds that lack an endosperm are bean, pea, oak, walnut, squash, sunflower, and radish. Plant seeds with an endosperm include all coniferss and most monocotyledons (e.g. grasses and palms), and also e.g. brazil nut, castor bean.
The seed coat develops from tissues (called integument) originally surrounding the ovule. The seed coat in the mature seed can be a paper thin layer (for example, peanut) or something more substantial.
The seeds of angiosperms are contained in a hard or fleshy (or with layers of both) structure called a fruit. Gymnosperm seeds begin their development "naked" on the bracts of cones, although the seeds do become covered by the cone scales as they develop. An example of a hard fruit layer surrounding the actual seed is that of the so-called stone fruits (such as the peach).
Seed functions
Unlike animals, plants are limited in their ability to seek out favorable conditions for life and growth. Consequently, plants have evolved many ways to disperse and spread the population through their seeds (see also vegetative reproduction). A seed must somehow "arrive" at a location and be there at a time favorable for germination and growth. Those properties or attributes that promote the movement of the next generation away from the parent plant may involve the fruit more so than the seeds themselves. The function of a seed typically is one of serving as a delaying mechanism: a way for the new generation to suspend its growth and allow time for dispersal to occur or to survive harsh, unfavorable conditions of cold or dryness or both. In many if not most cases each plant species achieves success in finding ideal locations for placement of its seeds through the basic approach of producing numerous seeds. This is certainly the approach used by plants, such as ferns, that disperse by spores. However, seeds involve a considerably greater investment in energy and resources than do spores, and the payoff must come in achieving similar or greater success with fewer dispersal units.
See also
External links
A Seed in Final Fantasy VIII is a mercenary working for a Garden.
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Agricom International
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Agricom is a producer of birdseed, lentils, peas, beans, and other specialty crops.
http://www.agricom.com/
Calavo Growers
Site offers avocado, guacamole and papaya information for four different audiences: consumers, retail buyers, foodservice buyers and avocado growers.
http://www.calavo.com/
Harrisons Malayalam ltd
Tea and rubber plantations all over south india, manufacturing tea and rubber products. A part of RPG group of companies.
http://www.harrisonsmalayalam.com/
Idaho Potato Official Web Site
Informational pages include recipes, photos, tips, and offers of genuine Idaho potatoes. Updated regularly with seasonal information.
http://www.idahopotato.com/
QualitasSemino seed multiplication
Chilean producer of vegetable and flower seeds in large and small scale for third-party companies worldwide, with specialization in hand-pollinated hybrid production. Includes descriptions of some of the varieties produced.
http://www.qualitassemino.com
Craggie Farm Ltd
Suppliers of seed potatoes to UK Seed and ware growers. Over 20 varieties available.
http://members.farmline.com/craggiefarm/Default.htm
W. Schenk
Information on paeonies, the varieties available, and their cultivation. Netherlands.
http://www.schenkpioenen.nl
Agracola Farms Inc.
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http://AgracolaFarms.com/
Rice Family Farms
Organic vegetable growers located in Meridian, Idaho.
http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/ricefamilyfarms/
Boggy Creek Farm
Organic farm in East Austin, TX.
http://www.boggycreekfarm.com/intro.html
Ferguson's Fancy Beans
Ferguson Bros.' Fancy Beans is located within the rich agricultural lands Of Ontario, Canada. They Ship Worldwide.
http://www.fergusonbros.com
Agriscape
An online directory on agriculture and its surrounding industry. Links to companies, universities, organizations, journals, weather, and news.
http://agriscape.com/
Melvin Farms
A family farm specializing in Spinach and Cauliflower for wholesale buyers. The site provides an overview of the operation as well a few recipes.
http://www.vitabite.com
Mittal Safed Musli Farm & Research Centre
Safed Musli or Chlorophytum Borivlianum is a useful medicinal crop grown by us.
http://www.safedmuslifarm.com/
Agromod
800 acres dedicated to the investigation, development and experimental production of fruits and vegetables, forest species, ornamentals and grains, as well as training programs.
http://www.agromod.com/english/indexen.htm
Florico
Company trading in the foliage industry.
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JR Farms
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http://www.jrfarms.com/
Winter Produce Growers from Tamaulipas, MX
Growers of produce like: onion, tomato, cucumber, melon, serrano, habanero and jalapeno peppers.
http://produce-growers.hypermart.net
Prairie Pollinating Inc.
Beaver plastics megablocks and Canadian leafcutting bees; to the alfalfa seed industry.
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Wagon Wheel Seed Corp.
Grower, processors, and wholesaler of certified seed of cereals, oilseeds, pulses, special crops, forages, and corn and soybeans.
http://www.wagonwheelseeds.sk.ca
Willoway Nurseries, Inc.
Growers of nursery stock.
http://www.willowaynurseries.com
Camden Farms
Speciality cereal seed grower, supplier of quality feed grain and hay. Located in South Australia.
http://www.lm.net.au/~robsmyth/
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A Western States big treemoving company,specializing in relocation of field grown olive trees 10-30' in height, for landscape purposes.
http://www.olivetreemover.com
Oak Prairie Farm
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Ingleside Plantation Nurseries
Wholesale nursery in Virginia, serving retailers, landscapers and garden centers throughout the New England and the Mid Atlantic regions.
http://www.inglesidenurseries.com/
Larsen Farms
Sales of potatoes, alfalfa, and grain nationwide. Located in Idaho.
http://larsenfarms.com/
Agribest
Exporters of fruit trees and Protea plants from Israel.
http://www.agribest.com/
Lee Farms
A North Carolina based farm sweet potato farm. Nation wide year-round shipping.
http://www.doggear.net/webusers/owners/leefarms/
Mears Spears Asparagus Farm
Specializing in fresh and pickled asparagus, cherries, and organic grapes.
http://www.mearsspears.com/
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