Seeds

The evolution of seeds has contributed to one of the most astonishing explosions of biodiversity in history. Indeed, most plants employ seeds as reproductively crucial structures. Everything about seeds involves timing. Seeds result from fertilization occurring when conditions are favorable, i.e., after sufficient resources have been devoted to reproductive tissues. Furthermore, seeds help ensure that there are the necessary stored materials for the early growth and development of the next generation of plants. And finally, seeds allow the next generation to wait in a form of suspended animation until conditions for the next generation are once again favorable. This book about seeds focuses upon their two most important functions-dormancy and germination. The topics covered include the types of dormancy, theories of the relationship between dormancy and germination, the timing of germination, the various factors that control germination, and the general aspects of germination in different sorts of habitats. Ecologists, plant scientists, agriculturists, foresters-indeed, anyone interested in plants and their life cycles will want to add this title to his or her library.