Plant ecology-ǁ

Topic:
Seed dispersal

Submitted to:
M.Hussain sb.
Submitted by:
M.Imran (1804)
Hassan raza (1829)
Seed dispersal:
Seed dispersal is the movement or
transport of seeds away from the parent plant. Plants have
limited mobility and consequently rely upon a variety of
dispersal vectors to transport their propagules, including
both abiotic and biotic vectors. Seeds can be dispersed away
from the parent plant individually or collectively, as well as
dispersed in both space and time. Dispersal of seeds is very
important for the survival of plant species. If plants grow too
closely together, they have to compete for light, water and
nutrients from the soil. Seed dispersal allows plants to
spread out from a wide area and avoid competing with one
another for the same resources.
 Dispersal Mechanisms
•Wind
•Water
•Animals
Seed dispersal by wind:
Wind dispersal occurs in
almost all species. Tiny dust seeds such as those of many species of
the families Orchidaceae and Pyrolaceae have the potential to be
dispersed over long distances by wind (Harper 1977; Burrows 1986;
McCartney 1990).Larger seeds are only effectively dispersed by
wind if their shape reduces fall speed (Burrows 1986). Spergularia
salina features heteromorphic seeds. The winged seed type was
slightly further dispersed than the unwinged type, but neither
travelled more than about 1 m (Redbo-Torstensson & Telenius
1995). Seeds which have a pappus or plume can also be carried
over long distances by the wind, although calculations from
Sheldon & Burrows (1973) resulted only in a few meters dispersal
distances. However, field experiments on Senecio jacobea (McEvoy
& Cox 1987) and Solidago canadensis (Grunicke 1995) showed that
the majority of seeds dispersed short distances but some of them
could be transported up to 14 or 50 m.
Verkaar (1990) discussed maximal wind dispersal
distances to implicate corridors as tools to conserve
plant populations. He included the vertical and
horizontal movement of seeds, the density of
reproducing plants and the number of seeds
produced in the model and simulated maximal
dispersal distances. Then he estimated the time
needed to disperse five plant species (Betula, Acer,
Lathyrus, Tragopogon, Viola) over 500 m by wind in
optimal habitat and non-habitat.All herbs, including
Tragopogon, would need more than one century to
cover 500 m distance by the wind. All these models,
however, do not include different meteorological
conditions or thermal convections and are not
related to distinct landscapes.
 Dispersal by wind
Various modifications which aid in dispersal by wind
a) Small seeds
b) Flattened seeds
c) Parachute mechanism
d) Tumble weeds
e) Censar mechanism
 Small seeds
Seeds and fruits are small and light in
weight.
Easily blown away by wind
Fruits of grasses, seeds of orchids
 Flattened seeds
Such seeds and fruits when detached
from plant do not fall directly on the
ground
Carried away to various distances by
wind
Examples Dabergia,Buttercup
Delbergia sissoo
 Parachute Mechanism
Parachute mechanism is method
of dispersal of seeds by the parachute like
pappus (calyx) which is the characteristic of
family Compositae. ... Whenever, such fruits
pass through muddy areas, they come down
just like parachute landing on the ground.
Such mode of seed dispersal is
called, parachute mechanism.
 Parachute Mechanism

Winged fruits – Acer, Elm

Winged seeds – Pinus, Begonia
Plumed fruits – Tuft of hairs,
Sonchus
Plumed seeds – Calotropis, Cotton,
Simbal
Acer fruit
Winged seed of Pinus
Sonchus fruit
Simbal
 Tumble Weeds
The tumbling habit of the plants is
their adaptation to scattering ripe seeds
for re-growth. They are tumbled by the
winds that are quite strong in the
steppes and many different
plants tumbleweed at different times
during the season
 Tumble Weeds

. Plants detached from the soil

when seeds are ripe
Assume spherical form
Plants rolled along the ground by
wind
Salsola, Carcthamus ( Poli)
Carthamus
 Censar Mechanism
cansor mechanism of seed dispersal
is a type of dispersal by wind, which
generally occur in poppy. Its seeds
bear hairy fibers outside and are very
light in weight, which aid in easy
dispersal by wind.
 Censar Mechanism
Fruits are large and dehisce by pores or
longitudinal slits
Seeds are jerked out in small number at
intervals
Poppy, Datura
Poppy Datura
 Dispersal by Water
Seeds and fruits have spongy tissue which
help to float in water when detached from
plants
Nelumbim, Nymphaea, Coconut
Nelumbim Coconut
 Dispersal by animals
 Plants have hooks, hairs or spines and
becomes attached to bodies of animals or
clothing of man e.g. Achyranthus, Medicago
,Tribulus
Edible portion of fruit eaten by man and
birds and seeds thrown away e.g. mango
Entire fruit eaten and undigested seeds
passed out with faeces e.g. Guava, figs of
Banyan
Medicago
Cocklbur