Plants and Seeds

From Seed to Plant

• Seeds become Plants in a process called “Germination”

• Seeds are dormant and protected by a tough outer coat.

• Inside is an embryo surrounded by endosperm, which is food-storing tissue

• Also inside the seed is a cotyledon, or seed leaves

Monocots and Dicots• Seeds with only one

cotyledon are called “monocots”

• Monocots such as wheat, rice and corn use energy from the endosperm

• Seeds that contain two cotyledons are called “dicots”

• In Dicots such as beans and Fast Plants the cotyledons emerge and provide energy to the plant.

Germination and Growth

• A seed planted in soil will absorb water and get larger

• The “Primary Root” emerges from the seed

• Root hairs and secondary roots form providing a way for plants to acquire nutrients

• Cotyledons push up and when they sense sunlight, expand providing energy until

Growth and Development

• As the plant grows more leaves and roots develop.

• The plant eventually matures and flowers

• The flowers are pollinated and fertilization occurs

• As flowers wither fruit develops to provide a protective covering for seeds which will begin the process again

Plant Nutrition

• Plant “food” is glucose, a form of sugar that provides energy that they produce through the process called Photosynthesis

• Plants also require light, water and a suitable temperature along with minerals

• Minerals don’t provide energy but help plants function properly

• “Plant Food” provides a mixture of substances that plants need for proper growth and are sometimes called fertilizers

Macro and Micro Nutrients

• Plants absorb minerals from the soil but sometimes there are not enough and fertilizers are used to supply the needed minerals that are missing

• Plants need 13 different minerals but three are essential

• These “Macronutrients” are Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium (or Potash)

Wisconsin Fast Plants (Brassica rapa)

• Wisconsin Fast Plants were developed by Dr. Paul Williams at UW.

• They go through their life cycle in 6 weeks

• Dr Williams cross pollinated those that grew fastest (along with other properties) which is known as “selective breeding”

• Fast plants belong to a family of plants called “Crucifers” which include cabbage, cauliflower and Brussell sprouts