Do you know that plant seeds are cultivated for their beauty and smell? Moreover, they are grown for the development of medicines. Plants, as you know, are the foundation of human diets worldwide. Do you know that all plants do not produce seeds? However, all plants that do grow them generally use them to replicate themselves. Remember that the seeds have both biological and economic importance.
Do you know that seeds are the product of sexual reproduction in all plants? They are vital for humans and plants and play an essential role in our everyday lives. They help feed us in the form of fruit and vegetables. Not only do they help us survive, but form the primary source of food for animals. Seeds grow into trees that help shade our planet.
The functions of seeds and their importance is a large topic. Throughout human history, seeds have been used to make our lives easier and better in several ways.
In this article, we try to discuss some reasons why seeds and plants are so crucial for our survival and well-being.
The Importance of Seeds and Plants in Human Life
Many societies feed exclusively on vegetarian diets and depend solely on seed plants for their nutritional needs. A few such crops are rice, wheat, and potatoes. Hence these seed plants dominate the agricultural landscape. Humans developed many of these crops during the agricultural revolution—when human societies transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherers to agriculture.
Do you know cereals are rich in carbohydrates and are the staple of many of your daily diets? In addition, beans and nuts supply proteins. Fats or oils are derived from crushed seeds, as is the case for rapeseed and peanut oils. Oils are often derived from fruits such as olives. Cattle and animal husbandry also require large amounts of seeds as part of their diet.
Drinks are made from infusions of tea leaves, powdered cocoa beans, or crushed coffee beans. Therefore, seed plants have an extensive requirement.
Interestingly, all spices come from many different plant parts, like saffron and cloves are stamens and buds of a plant. Black vanilla and pepper are seeds, too. Cinnamon is the bark of trees. Even the herbs that flavor many dishes come from leaves and dried fruits, the most common being spicy red chili pepper.
The Production of Seeds
Seeds are products of sexual reproduction in plants. Both their parents govern their genetic info. It holds true, although their parents are plants.
Sexual reproduction as primarily a process that prevents the loss of genetic info. This is what makes plants unique and what helps keep certain species alive. It is also why it prevents them from facing extinction. If the process of creating seeds were non-sexual, the genetic info would be lost.
The second benefit is that many new genetic combinations are created. It acts as a helpful factor when they face the process of natural selection. The species can continue together to evolve because of this.
The populations of the said species continue growing in size because they have adapted to their natural env. It is a challenging task because the env is constantly changing and evolving. It is an entirely dynamic process.
Usages of Seeds and Plants
One must remember the benefits of ornamental seed plants. These ornamental plants grace public spaces, add beauty and serenity to human lives, and inspire many poets and lovers.
Since ancient times, man has been using the medicinal properties of plants. You would be surprised to know that there are references to medicinal seeds and plants even in the Babylonian, Egyptian, and Chinese writings, which are 5,000 years old. Even many modern synthetic therapeutic drugs are derived from these seeds and plants.
Why Are Seeds So Important to Plants?
Did you know that plant seeds contain large amounts of protein, oil, and starch, all vital nutrients for the development of plants and even humans? Moreover, seeds are used to produce many primary food sources for animals and humans.
Throughout the ages, plants have naturally developed different mechanisms to spread their seeds. This feature makes it easier for the baby plants to grow at distances further away from their parent plants. It is essential for the spread of the range of the species.
Hence seeds are crucial for Earth and the survival of many plants. Plants take advantage of several habitat opportunities and disperse seeds further away from the mother plant.
It is essential to know that there are several disturbances in nature, including ecological processes going on. Therefore, plants continually search for new habitats to keep their species alive. Seeds allow us to plant them anywhere and grow whichever plant we need.
The soil where the plant grows – plays an important role in its yield. Note that some of the plant species are of vital importance to us. We serve as a primary source of food. However, there are also seeds and plants we need for raw materials. These materials are often used for manufacturing industrial chemicals.
Quality of Plant Seed and Its Characteristics
It is important to note that the utility of the seeds is fully realized only when they possess good quality. Quality in terms of genetic, physical, physiological, and health aspects. Remember that plant seed quality is a relative term. Plant seed quality means – the degree of excellence compared to an acceptable standard.
The quality seeds should have the required standards of purity, germination, and other attributes. These are some of the primary characteristics related to the quality of the seeds. For example:
Genetic purity
A seed is genetically pure when it possesses all the genetic qualities – that the breeder might have placed in the variety. Note that the genetic purity of seeds is always a measure of trueness to type.
In simple terms, it has a direct effect on ultimate yields. It might not be beneficial when there is any deterioration in the genetic makeup of the variety, especially during the seed multiplication and distribution cycle. Meaning they would have a proportionate decrease in their performance. It is always necessary to ensure genetic purity during production cycles.
Physical purity
The physical purity of a seed lot usually refers to the material composition of seed lot. A seed lot may consist of pure seeds, weed seeds, and other crop seeds.
Note that higher the content of the pure seed, the better will be the seed quality. Pure seed, considered together with seed germination, often determines the planting value of the seed.
Different Role of Plant Seeds
Do you know that plant seeds have a varied role to play? Some of the different roles of plant seeds are as follows.
Plant seeds as carriers of new technologies
The introduction and popularization of any technology – that may enhance crop productivity solely depends on the seed. It might be developing new varieties, evaluating seed treating chemicals, fertilizer (NPK fertilizer), pesticide, and biotechnological products.
Plant seeds act as a fundamental tool for secured food supply
In most developing countries like Asia, cultivating high-yielding varieties helps increase food production four times in a period of just fifty years. Note that the successful implementation of this High Yielding Varieties Programme or HYVP may lead to a remarkable increase in production.
Such programs can lead to a new assessment of future development potential. As a result, many countries have substantially reduced food imports from other countries despite their population increase.
Plant seeds for secure crop yields
It is important to note that seeds are the principal means to secure crop yields – especially in less favorable production areas. Remember that these areas are inherent in biotic and abiotic stresses. The supply of quality seeds of improved varieties may contribute to higher crop yields in less favorable zones.
Note that plant seeds are a medium for rapid rehabilitation of agriculture. At times, floods and droughts may lead to threats of famine and starvation. In such situations, the plant seed reserve stocks may contribute significantly to reclaiming the ill effects of such hazardous natural calamities.
Seeds and Pants – A Necessity
Even you would agree that plants have managed to create different mechanisms. They allow them to disseminate their seeds. They have large amounts of oil and protein oil, which are all crucial nutrients for the development of humans and plants.
We all know that seeds contain all the starting materials necessary – to develop into complex plants. Hence, they are highly nutritious. Note that seeds are a great source of fiber too. They also contain healthy monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and many essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. When you consume it as a part of a healthy diet, seeds may help reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
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