Name the various agents, which help in the dispersal of seed / fruits. Describe one of the agent in detail
Answers
Explanation:
The agents of dispersal of seeds are wind, water, animals, gravity and explosion. Additional Information: Wind dispersal: The wind is the natural and primary means by which seeds are dispersed. ... Animals dispersal: There are different ways in which animals and birds disperse the seeds.
A seed is a reproductive unit of a plant. Seed is dispersed so that germination or sprouting of a plant can occur. Seed is dispersed through various agents such as Wind, Water, Animals and Birds, and Gravity.
Agents of Seed dispersal:
- Wind as an agent:
The wind is a natural phenomenon. It is a very important agent of dispersal in the plant kingdom. Here flowers with light seeds undergo Wind dispersion.
Example: Orchid plant, Dandelions.
- Water as an agent:
In this type of dispersion, the seed floats away from its parent plant. The plants that use this type of dispersion live near the water bodies such as beaches, lakes, and ponds.
Example: Coconut, Water lily.
- Animals and Birds as an agent:
Animals and Birds are attracted to plants that have brightly colored fruits. Few animals consume these fruits and excrete the seeds elsewhere. Squirrels store their seeds as food and often forget where they stored them allowing the plant to grow. Few seeds attach to the body of the fur.
Example: Acorns, Tomato.
- Gravity as an agent:
Gravity is a phenomenon where objects fall due to a force. Similarly, fruits fall from its branch and end up inside the soil where new plants can grow.
Example: Apple, Coconut.