The ancestral state of dormancy in seed plants is believed to be a condition of little to no seed dormancy. In early lineages, seeds were likely able to germinate immediately after being dispersed, without requiring a period of dormancy for successful germination.
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The ancestral state of dormancy in seed plants is believed to be a condition of little to no seed dormancy. In early lineages, seeds were likely able to germinate immediately after being dispersed, without requiring a period of dormancy for successful germination. This lack of seed dormancy allowed early seed plants to rapidly colonize different environments and adapt to various ecological niches.
One interesting fact about seed dormancy is that it is an adaptive trait that provides numerous benefits to plants. Dormancy enables seeds to remain viable and survive unfavorable conditions, such as drought, extreme temperatures, or lack of suitable germination conditions. This allows plants to ensure the long-term survival and persistence of their offspring.
Additionally, seed dormancy plays a crucial role in plant dispersal and colonization. Seeds can be dispersed by wind, water, animals, or other means, and dormancy prevents immediate germination upon dispersal. This allows seeds to be transported to new locations, promoting the establishment of plants in different habitats.
A well-known resource, “Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology” by James D. Mauseth, explains the concept of dormancy in seed plants: “Dormancy, the temporary suspension of growth and development in plants, is an adaptive response to improve survival during unfavorable conditions.”
Table: Common Types of Seed Dormancy
Type of Dormancy
Description
Physical Dormancy
Seed coat impermeability prevents water and gases from entering the seed, inhibiting germination.
Physiological Dormancy
The embryo within the seed is not fully developed and requires specific environmental cues for germination to occur.
Mechanical Dormancy
Seeds have structures or mechanisms that need to be broken or disrupted for germination to take place.
Chemical Dormancy
Certain chemical compounds in the seed inhibit germination and require specific environmental conditions to be broken down.
Morphological Dormancy
The embryo undergoes a period of development or growth within the seed before germination can occur.
In summary, while the ancestral state of dormancy in seed plants is believed to be minimal or nonexistent, the evolution of seed dormancy has provided plants with adaptive advantages for survival, dispersal, and colonization. Dormancy mechanisms vary among different plant species and can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and ecological interactions.
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Dormancy is an essential period in the life cycle of seeds, where they become dry and their activities decline to withstand harsh environmental conditions. This dormant period can last for varying durations, benefiting the seeds in terms of dispersal and reducing resource competition. Once the dormancy period ends and favorable conditions arise, the seeds initiate the process of germination. It is fascinating to note that some seeds remain dormant for several years, or even centuries, before successfully sprouting.
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We found morphophysiological dormancy to be the most likely ancestral state of seed plants, suggesting that physiologically regulated dormancy in response to environmental cues was present at the origin of seed plants.
Morphophysiological dormancy
We found morphophysiological dormancy to be the most likely ancestral state of seed plants, suggesting that physiologically regulated dormancy in response to environmental cues was present at the origin of seed plants.
Created Date: 5/13/2014 12:48:45 PM
Title: REV_ISS_WEB_NPH_12782_203-1 300..309
The evolution of the seed represents a remarkable transformation for photosynthetic organisms. It is the most complex and most successful method of sexual reproduction in vascular plants. The seeds contain the genetic wisdom of the past and the potential to perpetuate it in the future. Seeds remain in dormancy caused by drought and the hormone abscisic acid until growing conditions become favorable. Seed development removes the need for water during sexual reproduction and allows the fertilization event to occur over long distances. The germination of seeds in a particular state and season is determined by the interaction of dormancy-releasing factors, which influence the termination of dormancy or initiation of germination and seedling growth in many plant species such as phytohormones, light, temperature, water, nutrients, moisture or mechanical stimuli. The seeds of different plants need different pretreatment to get strong and even seedlings for production. Therefore, real attentio…
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What is the state of seed dormancy? Answer to this: Seed dormancy has been defined as the incapacity of a viable seed to germinate under favorable conditions (Bewley, 1997; Finch-Savage and Leubner–Metzger, 2006).
Similarly, What is the state of dormancy in plants? Response to this: Dormancy is defined as the temporary inability of a viable seed to germinate under favorable environmental conditions (Simpson, 1990). Dormancy helps the seed to survive adverse environmental conditions and at the same time helps in seed dispersal (Snape et al., 2001).
What is the genetics of seed dormancy? The reply will be: In general, seed dormancy is a quantitative trait that is influenced by environmental factors. Depending on the species and accession, dormancy is controlled by nuclear factors, maternal factors or both, and dormancy can be genetically the dominant or recessive form of the trait.
Beside this, What is dormancy in a seed plant? Seed dormancy is defined as the inability of intact viable seeds to complete germination under favorable environmental conditions (Gao and Ayele, 2014).
Beside above, What is seed dormancy? As a response to this: This type of seed dormancy occurs when the seed has imbibed water, but has been placed under extremely unfavourable conditions for germination. Finally, seed fails to germinate even under more favourable conditions. The different methods of breaking dormancy are mentioned below:
Also asked, Why do plants use dormancy? Plants utilize dormancy so that seed can endure unfavorable conditions and not all germinate at the same time and are killed by unfavorable weather (Seed Dormancy). While dormancy can enhance plant survival in the wild, it can prevent seeds from germinating uniformly and growing well in wildflower seed production fields.
Besides, Why do seeds germinate if they are dormant? Because dormancy can be broken by most ideal growing conditions (different and specific for each species), the seeds germinate when they are the most likely to flourish. Species that have dormant seed have evolved dormancy because it is useful in survival.
Additionally, Are seed dormancy and germination requirements considered in restoration planning? Answer will be: When seed dormancy and germination requirements of species are not adequately considered in restoration planning, they can lead to high levels (more than 90%) of plant establishment failure and seed wastage (James et al. 2011; Merritt & Dixon 2011; Commander et al. 2013; James et al. 2013 ).
Also asked, What is seed dormancy? Response to this: Seed dormancy is an evolutionary adaptation that prevents seeds from germinating during unsuitable ecological conditions that would typically lead to a low probability of seedling survival.
Why do plants use dormancy? As a response to this: Plants utilize dormancy so that seed can endure unfavorable conditions and not all germinate at the same time and are killed by unfavorable weather (Seed Dormancy). While dormancy can enhance plant survival in the wild, it can prevent seeds from germinating uniformly and growing well in wildflower seed production fields.
Also to know is, How does a seed survive in a dormant state? For this survival, the seed, mainly in a dry state, is well equipped to sustain extended periods of unfavourable conditions. To optimise germination over time, the seed enters a dormant state. Dormancy prevents pre-harvest germination as well.
Keeping this in view, What is true dormancy? Response will be: True dormancy or inherent (or innate) dormancy is caused by conditions within the seed that prevent germination even if the conditions are favorable.
Related facts
Did you know that,Because dormancy can be broken by most ideal growing conditions (different and specific for each species), the seeds germinate when they are the most likely to flourish.Species that have dormant seed have evolved dormancy because it is useful in survival.
You knew that,There are many types of seed dormancy. It is a very complex and mis-understood condition of certain seed species. Not all species of seed that exhibit seed dormancy have the same dormancy mechanisms.In this article, we will discuss the basics of seed dormancy. Later articles will go more into detail about the different types of seed dormancy and the mechanisms involved.
It is interesting:While as many as 63 per cent of the tropical rainforest species produce non-dormant seeds, only 24 per cent of the dry tropical tree species produce seeds which are not dormant.Seed dormancy is a mechanism that insures the survival of the species.
