Seeds in Plant Propagation

Question 1

WHAT IS A SEED

Answer 1

A seed is the product of sexual reproduction in a seed bearing plant. The seed forms from the fertilised ovule into a plant

Question 2

NAME 2 FEATURES OF AN ORTHODOX SEED

Answer 2

Orthodox seeds are dry and can be stored at cool temperatures for years

Question 3

NAME 2 FEATURES OF A RECALCITRANT SEED

Answer 3

A seed which is high in fats and does not store well

Question 4

NAME 2 SEEDS REQUIRING SHORT TERM COOL MOIST STORAGE

Answer 4

Aescolus hippocastanum, Quercus robur

recalcitrant

Question 5

STATE 4 STORAGE FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT SEED VIABILITY

Answer 5

Time , Temperature (cool temp,1-5 slows respiration), Moisture (keep airtight), Pests (collect from healthy plants)

Question 6

WHAT IS SEED VIABILITY

Answer 6

A viable seed has a living embryo and the capability of germinating

Question 7

WHAT IS EPIGEAL GERMINATION

Answer 7

In epigeal germination the hypocotyl elongates to bring the cotyledon above ground where it photosynthesises for short period

Question 8

NAME AN EXAMPLE OF EPIGEAL GERMINATION

Answer 8

Phaseolus vulgaris, Helianthus annuus

Question 9

WHAT IS HYPOGEAL GERMINATION

Answer 9

The epicotyl elongates to bring the plumule above ground and the cotyledon remains below ground

Question 10

NAME AN EXAMPLE OF HYPOGEAL GERMINATION

Answer 10

Vicia faba; Zea mays

Question 11

NAME 4 LIMITATIONS OF PROPAGATING FROM SEED

Answer 11

1. some plants produce no viable seed
2. storage may not be easy or for possible for prolonged period
3. plants may not be uniform
4. may take long time to maturity
5. germination may be difficult due to dormancy factors

Question 12

NAME 4 BENEFITS OF PROPAGATING FROM SEED

Answer 12

1. sexual reproduction creates diversity of plant characteristics and increased vigour due to genetic variation
2. diversity allows for adaptation to environmental change
3. seed can be stored and transported easily
4. seed can be harvested by gardener, less skill needed
5. potential for producing large number of plants
6. may be possible to avoid pest and disease transmission
7. seed allows for wide dispersal
8. only method available for annuals and biennials

Question 13

NAME 4 PLANTS PROPAGATED FROM SEED

Answer 13

1. Nigella damascena
2. Digitalis purpurea
3. Daucus carota
4. Lactuca sativa
5. Solanum lycopersicum
6. Quercus robur

Question 14

NAME 4 HORTICULTURAL USES OF SEED

Answer 14

1. Lawns eg Festuca rubra subsp rubra
2. Bedding plants eg Tagetes patula
3. Fruits eg Solanum lycopersicum
4. Annuals eg Lathyrus odoratus
5. Vegetables eg Daucus carota
6. Native trees eg Quercus robur

Question 15

DESCRIBE PHASEOLUS VULGARIS SEED HARVESTING

Answer 15

1. Harvest when plant fully ripe (brown)
2. from plant free of disease and pest
3. in dry weather
4. from plants that are true to type

Question 16

DESCRIBE PHASEOLUS VULGARIS SEED SEPARATION AND CLEANING SEED

Answer 16

1. separate undamaged, fully ripe seeds carefully from pods
2. grade and eliminate small seeds
3. dry on paper for 7-10 days

Question 17

NAME 4 CONDITIONS FOR STORAGE OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS SEED

Answer 17

1. dry seed
2. cool, frost free conditions
3. paper envelope or bag in airtight container with silica gel
4. labelled

Question 18

NAME 2 STORAGE CONDITIONS FOR RECALCITRANT SEED

Answer 18

1. moist
2. cool
3. for short periods only

Question 19

DESCRIBE SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM SUITABLE FOR SEED COLLECTION

Answer 19

1. fruit should be ripe and soft
2. fruit should be dry
3. plant should be true to type and healthy

Question 20

DESCRIBE SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM SEED MACERATING AND SEPARATING

Answer 20

1. scoop seeds from flesh
2. place seeds with attached flesh into bowl/bucket of water
3. allow to ferment at room temperature to remove gelatinous coating which inhibits germination
4. place in fresh water after few days and remove dead seeds and debris from surface

Question 21

DESCRIBE CLEANING AND DRYING OF SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM SEED

Answer 21

1. rinse
2. spread on paper/glass to dry fully
3. store in cool dry place

Question 22

WHAT IS SEED DORMANCY

Answer 22

A condition where seeds do not germinate despite suitable environmental conditions

Question 23

LIST 4 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS REQUIRED FOR GERMINATION

Answer 23

1. water for chemical processes
2. oxygen for respiration
3. warm temperature to sustain growth
4. appropriate light level for the plant

Question 24

HOW ARE THE CORRECT CONDITIONS FOR GERMINATION PROVIDED INDOORS

Answer 24

1. water trays before and after sowing
2. provide growing media with good air filled porosity
3. provide heat in propagator or bottom heat of 18-20
4. cover seeds or not as necessary

Question 25

NAME 1 VEGETABLE, 1 HARDY ANNUAL, 1 HALF HARDY ANNUAL, 1 PERENNIAL AND 1 GRASS THAT CAN BE PROPAGATED BY SEED

Answer 25

1. Daucus carota; Lactuca sativa 2. Nigella damascena; Helianthus annuus 3. Zinnia elegans,, Cosmos bipinnatus, Lobelia erinus 4. Echinops ritro, Echinacea purpurea, Aquilegia vulgaris 5. Lolium perenne; Festuca rubra

Question 26

STATE MEANING OF TESTA AND COTYLEDON

Answer 26

Testa is the protective seed coat formed from integuements around ovule Cotyledon is the seed leaf which may store energy; maybe one or two

Question 27

STATE MEANING OF RADICLE AND PLUMULE

Answer 27

Radicle is the embryonic root | Plumule is the embryonic shoot

Question 28

STATE MEANING OF EPICOTYL AND HYPOCOTYL

Answer 28

Epicotyl is the part of the stem between cotyledon and true leaves Hpocotyl is part of stem between cotyledon/embryo and radicle/root

Question 29

NAME 2 VEGETABLE CROPS PROPAGATED BY SEED

Answer 29

1. Daucus carota (carrot) 2. Vicia faba (broadbean) 3. Pisum sativum (pea) 4. Lactuca sativa (lettuce)

Question 30

STATE 2 CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR VEGETABLE SEED STORAGE

Answer 30

1. Cool temperature to slow metabolism | 2. Dry atmosphere using air tight container and/or silica gel

Question 31

NAME 6 CHANGES OCCURRING IN SEED DURING GERMINATION

Answer 31

1. Water is taken in via micropyle (imbibition) 2. Rate of respiration increases 3. Stored food (starch,protein or oil) is metabolised 4. Embryo grows with rapid cell division 5. Testa breaks/splits 6. Radicle emerges 7. Plumule emerges

Question 32

NAME ONE PLANT EACH WITH HYPOGEAL AND EPIGEAL GERMINATION

Answer 32

1. Hypogeal : Vicia faba, Zea mays | 2. Epigeal: Phaseolus vulgaris, Helianthus annuus

Question 33

NAME 2 PLANTS THAT HAVE RECALCITRANT SEEDS

Answer 33

1. Quercus robur 2. Aesculus hippocastanum 3. Fagus sylvatica

Question 34

NAME 4 POINTS OF RECALCITRANT SEED HARVESTING

Answer 34

1. Seeds should be from plants true to type 2. seeds should be free from pathogens, reasonable size and undamaged 3. harvest when ripe, falling from tree in autumn 4. place in polythene bag 5. label

Question 35

NAME 3 POINTS OF RECALCITRANT SEED STORAGE AND PACKAGING

Answer 35

1. Remove husk from seed 2. Place seed in moist compost in polythene bag 3. Label with name, date and place 4. Store in cool rodent proof container for 3-4 weeks

Question 36

NAME ONE VEGETABLE, ONE HARDY ANNUAL, ONE HALF HARDY ANNUAL AND ONE GRASS PROPAGATED BY SEED

Answer 36

1. Daucus carota; Lactuca sativa 2. Nigella damascena; Helianthus annuus 3. Lobelia erinus; Salvia splendens; Zinnia elegans, Cosmos bipinnatus 4. Lolium perenne; Festuca rubra

Question 37

STATE 2 METHODS O AVOIDING DISEASE IN GERMINATING SEEDLINGS

Answer 37

1. Use clean, fresh seed 2. use sterile potting media 3. use clean water from mains supply 4. use sterilised containers 5. sow thinly and evenly

Question 38

DESCRIBE PRICKING OUT OF LACTUCA SATIVA SEEDS

Answer 38

1. loosen seedling in seed tray 2. select healthy seedling 3. handle by seed leaves 4. handle with care 5. make a hole in growing medium with dibber large enough for root and stem 6. place seedling in hole with seed leaves just above compost 7. firm in with dibber