FRUITS, SEEDS and GERMINATION

I. THE FRUIT
-The ripened ovary of the flower
-Protects seeds, aid in their dissemination, and may be factor in timing
their germination
 PERICARP-Fruit wall
 Layers:
exocarp–outermost layer-
mesocarp–fleshy middle layer-
endocarp –innermost layer which usually surrounds the seed
TYPES:
A.Based on the origin
1 .Normal–fruit that develops after fertilization
2. Parthenocarpic–fruit that develops without fertilization
TYPES:
B.Based on the number of ovaries involved in its formation
1. Simple fruit –develops from 1 ovary
2. Compound fruit –develops from several ovary
a. Aggregate-Develops from the several ovaries of a single
flower-Ex: atis, guyabano
b. Multiple (Collective)-Develops from several ovaries of a
compact inflorescence-Ex: langka, durian, rimas, pineapple
TYPES:
C.Based on consistency
1. Pericarp Dry and Dehiscent
a. Legume or Pod –arises from a single carpel which at
maturity splits along 2 sutures; with the shell, pericarp
endorsing the seeds EX: peanut, sitao, batao, patani
b. Follicle –develops from a single carpel and opens along 1
suture EX: camachille and kalachuchi
c. Capsule –derives from an ovary with 2 or more united
carpels, each carpel producing few to many seeds and splits in
various ways EX: castor oil, banaba, okra and cotton
d. Silique–derives from a superior ovary consisting of 2 locules
which at maturity separates into 3 portions with the seeds
attached to the central, persistent portion EX: malunggay
2.Pericarp Dry and Indehiscent
a. Achene –commonly called “seeds” but when the pericarp is
broken, the seeds within is seen to be attached to the ovary wall
at one point EX: strawberry, pineapple
b. Grain (Caryopsis) –like the achene, it is also one seeded,
but the pericarp and seed coat are firmly united EX: corn, rice
 c. Samara –may be one-seeded or two-seeded and has a wing
like outgrowth of the ovary wall EX: narra, maple
d. Schizocarp –derived from 2 carpels which splits when
mature, along the midline into 2 one-seeded indehiscent leaves
EX: carrot, mustard family
e. Nut –one-seeded fruit with a hard or stony pericarp
commonly called the shell EX: cashew nut, pistachio, wall
nut, chestnut
C. Based on consistency
3. Pericarp Fleshy
a. Berry –derived from a compound ovary, usually many seeds
are embedded in a fleshy part which is both endocarp and
mesocarp EX: eggplant, tomato, grapes
b. Hesperidium–type of berry, with a thick leathery rind with
numerous glands which constitute the exocarp and mesocarp
and a thick juicy portion of several wedge-shaped locules which
are outgrowths from the endocarp EX: orange, pomelo,
calamansi, dalandan
c. Pepo–berry-like fruit with a hard rind derived from the fusion
of the receptacle and the exocarp while the fleshy part of the
fruit is principally mesocarp and endocarp EX: cucumber,
squash and watermelon
d. Drupe –derived from one carpel and is usually one-seeded,
exocarpis thin, mesocarp maybe fleshy of fibrous and the
endocarp is hard, consisting of thick-walled stone cells EX:
pilinut, coconut, mango, avocado
e. Pome –derived from an inferior ovary; the fleshy part is the
enlarged floral tube and the core comes from the ovary EX:
apple, pear

I. THE SEED
- the structure that develops from the ovule after fertilization

PARTS OF A SEED

A. Seed coats-The covering of a seed-Made up of the testa derived from

the outer integument and the tegmen from the inner integument

Associated with the seed coat are:

1. Hilum –scar on the seed coat
2. Micropyle–small opening near the hilum
3. Raphe –ridge located on the testa

B. Endosperm -Derives from the primary endosperm cell and contains

the stored food of the seed
 C. Embryo-The young plant inside the seed with the following parts:

1. Cotyledon –one or two seeded leaves

2. Epicotyl –part of the embryo above the point of attachment of the

cotyledons; its growing tip, the plumule, constitutes the first bud

3. Hypocotyl–part of the embryo below the point of attachment of the

cotyledons; its growing tip, the radicle give rise to the primary root

TYPES OF SEEDS

1. Based on the location of the stored food

a. Endospermic seeds (albuminousseeds)-Endosperm is

present for food storage

b.Non-endospermic seeds (exalbuminousseeds)-

Endosperm is absent

TYPES OF SEEDS

2. Based on the number of cotyledons

a.Dicotyledonous seeds-With 2 cotyledons

b.Monocotyledonous seeds-With 1 cotyledons

III. DISSEMINATION- The transfer of fruits and seeds to distant places

- AGENTS FOR DISPERSAL:

1. WIND-Seeds and fruits dispersed by wind are generally light and

may have some structural adaptations like wings and plumes-Some
are simply dispersed by the violent splitting of the pericarp

2. ANIMALS-Seeds and fruits dispersed by animals have spines or

barbs that adhere to animal fur-Seeds of many fruits pass through the
digestive tract without being digested and are still viable when
egested-Seeds may be sticky and carried on the feet of some birds

3. WATER-Fruits dispersed by water are buoyant

IV. GERMINATION- Is the beginning of the growth of the seed, spore, bud,
or other structures

STEPS:

1.Seeds takes up water and swells

2.Food is digested

3.Respiration increases

4.Cell division occurs

5.Embryo grows

6.Seed coat ruptures

NOTE: The hypocotyl is usually the first part of the embryo to emerge
from the seed coat, followed by the epicotyl. A sprouted embryo is
called a seedling

Conditions affecting germination

A.EXTERNAL CONDITIONS

1.Moisture

2.Oxygen

3.Temperature –optimal is bet. 25°C to 30°C

4.Food supply

5.Others –light, soil, acidity, CO2, etc

B.INTERNAL CONDITIONS

1.Auxinsor growth regulators

2.Stored foods in the seeds