Seed Germination, Dispersal, and Plant Cultivation

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing plant germination, seed dispersal agents, non-seed plant propagation, agriculture, seasonal crop classifications, and soil types.

Germination

The process by which a new plant begins to grow from a seed.

Seedling

A tiny developing plant that grows during seed germination, characterized by a small root emerging downward and a stem growing upward.

Dispersal

The process of spreading something over a large area.

Seed Dispersal

The process by which seeds are carried away and spread out to faraway places from the parent plant by water, wind, human beings, and other animals.

Agents of Seed Dispersal

External factors, such as wind, water, human beings, and other animals, that assist in dispersing seeds.

Dispersal by Water

A dispersal method observed in coconut and lotus seeds, where the seed or fruit floats on water and is carried away to distant locations.

Dispersal by Wind

A dispersal mechanism in plants like dandelions, whose light seeds are equipped with hair-like structures that allow them to fly away in the air.

Dispersal by Human Beings

A form of seed transport where seeds with hooks or spines, such as cocklebur, latch onto clothing and are carried to different places.

Dispersal by Animals

A dispersal mode where animals, such as squirrels burying fruits in the ground for storage, forget their caches, allowing the buried seeds to sprout into new plants.

Jagadish Chandra Bose

An Indian scientist who demonstrated that plants can feel external stimuli and sensations just like humans do.

Stem Cutting

A propagation method where a cut piece of a parent plant's stem bearing a bud (e.g., rose, hibiscus, or money plant) is planted in soil to produce a new plant.

Eyes (Potato Buds)

Small buds present on the surface of an underground stem like a potato, each capable of developing into a new plant.

Bryophyllum

A plant capable of reproduction via vegetative buds on the margins of its leaves, which drop into moist soil and develop into individual plants.

Fleshy Roots

Thickened roots found in plants such as carrots and radishes that store food and can give rise to new plants under favorable conditions.

Agriculture

The practice and process of growing plants in large quantities to supply food, clothing, and other human necessities.

Crops

Plants that are cultivated and grown in large quantities within agricultural systems.

Kharif Crops

Crops grown from June to October (also called monsoon crops) that depend significantly on monsoon rains, including rice, maize, jowar, and bajra.

Rabi Crops

Crops cultivated from November to April (also known as winter crops) that do not rely on monsoon rains, including wheat, mustard, peas, and legumes.

Clayey Soil

A soil type with high water retention that prevents rapid drainage, ideal for plants requiring large amounts of moisture such as roses and climbers.

Sandy Soil

A soil type that drains and dries out quickly without retaining much moisture, best suited for crops requiring minimal water like groundnut and cashew.

Loamy Soil

A nutrient-rich soil type with balanced moisture retention properties that support the healthy growth of most plants, including wheat, cotton, and pulses.