Question

Enlist various methods of seed dispersal in plants.

Answer 1

Methods of seed dispersal in plants are as follows:

(i) Anemochory : Dispersal by the agency of wind. Wind dispersed seeds have modifications like wings, hair, light-weight body etc.

e.g., Moringa, Acer etc.

(ii) Hydrochory : Dispersal by the agency water. Seeds and fruits develop floating devices like spongy or fibrous coats and are water proof.

e.g., coconut, lotus etc.

(iii) Zoochory : dispersal by animals including human beings.

(a) Forced Zoochory : Seeds have spines, hooks etc., which cling to animal bodies and are carried to distant places.

e.g., Xanthium, Tribulus etc.

(b) Compensated Zoochory : Fruits have edible pulp. Seeds if big are thrown away, e.g., mango and if small are eaten along with fruits and passed out undigested in faeces,. e.g.,  mulberry, guava. In this way, get dispersed to distant places.

(iv) Autochory : Autochory Dispersal by explosion mechanism. Fruits burst due to compression or release of pressure to throw or scatter the seeds to a distance away from the mother plant.

e.g., Impatiens, Bauhinia etc.