1. Give the major differences between seeds of beans, corn and rice.

Answer: Seeds of beans are dicot because a bean seed that has soaked in water for a day has a soft
outside covering. This is the seed coat. The seed coat would probably slip off the seed easily. The bean
seed has a slit going down the middle of the seed. Inside is a tiny plant called an embryo. The main parts
of the embryo are the “plumule” (leaves) and the “radicle” (make up the root), hypocotyl and epicotyl
(make up the stem). The two large parts of the seeds are called “cotyledons”. They supply the food for
the young plant when it is growing. The bean seed has two parts. Therefore, it is a dicotyledon or dicot
for short. On the other hand, corn and rice is monocotyledon because they have one cotyledon means
that cannot be separated by two, producing a single first leaf after germination and is therefore a
monocot.

2. Describe the functions of the endosperm.

Answer: The endosperm plays an important role in supporting embryonic growth by supplying nutrients,
protecting the embryo and controlling embryo growth by acting as a mechanical barrier during seed
development and germination.

3. Why is the application of fertilizer not necessary during germination?

Answer: Seedlings do not need fertilizer from sowing through the first week after germination because
the cotyledons, which are preformed inside the seed, have all the initial nutrition needed to sustain
seedling growth. Remember, seedlings and plants will not grow faster or better by applying higher than
recommended rates of fertilizer; in fact, over-fertilizing can result in a negative impact on growth (plants
become stretched or distorted), algae formation on the growing medium surface which attracts shore
flies and fungus gnats and build up of fertilizer salts which can burn roots and kill seedlings. Young
seedlings are particularly sensitive to high fertilizer/salt levels in the substrate, so the Electrical
Conductivity (EC) should be monitored and maintained below 1.5 dS/m (mmhos/cm) using the 2:1
growing medium test method.

4. Describe the differences in the manner of emergence between the monocot and dicot.

Answer: Monocots have only one seed leaf inside the seed coat. It is often only a thin leaf, because the
endosperm to feed the new plant is not inside the seed leaf. Dicots have two seed leaves inside the seed
coat. They are usually rounded and fat, because they contain the endosperm to feed the embryo plant.

5. What makes up an embryo?

Answer: The embryo can be distinguished from the other major parts of the seed based on component
parts and function. It consists of the epicotyl, hypocotyl, radicle, plumule and one or two cotyledons. It is
the one that develops into a plant with an upward growing shoot and a downward growing root system.

6. Give the function of the different parts of seeds and seedlings of a monocot and a dicot?
Answer: There are three main parts we can see in a monocot seed: embryo, endosperm, and seed coat.
With monocot seeds, the embryo develops into a full-grown plant, and the endosperm is there to act as
a source of food. The coat around the seed is very important, as it protects the seed from various
pathogens and insects. On the other hand, dicot seeds are composed of Hilum – It is a scar that is
located on the seed coat, associated with the stalk of the plant; Seed coat – Forms the exterior covering
of the plant, supplying with nourishment and protection to the seed inside; Endosperm – It is the tissue
containing nutrients for the growth of the embryo; Embryo – Several divisions of the zygote gives rise to
this structure.

V.References (APA style)

Walson, L. (2021). Nutrition tips for seed germination and young plants. Retrieved from
https://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/nutrition-tips-for-seed-germination-and-
young-plants/

Ben (2021). The parts of a seed and their functions in seed and plant development. Retrieved from
https://www.cropsreview.com/parts-of-a-seed/

1. Give the functions of the different parts of the leaves, stems, and roots of both legume and grasses.

Answer:

LIGUME AND GRASS STEM

PARTS FUNCTIONS
Nodes Nodes are the points on a stem where the buds, leaves, and branching
twigs originate. They are crucial spots on the plant where important
healing, structural support, and biological processes take place.
Internodes Internodes are the sections of stem between nodes. If the nodes are the
crucial “organs” of the plant, the internodes are the blood vessels carrying
water, hormones, and food from node to node. Usually, internodes seem
long and provide spacing between nodes of many inches.
Terminal leaf The role of the terminal bud is fairly straightforward. It allows for the
bud plant to grow taller, thereby allowing it to gain more resources in order to
live. It is essential for the plant to grow and gain more height on
surrounding plants.
Auxiliary/lateral Their main function is to provide support to the plant, holding leaves,
bud flowers, and buds; in some cases, stems also store food for the plant. An
axillary bud is usually found in the axil (the area between the base of a
leaf and the stem) where it can give rise to a branch or a flower.

LIGUME AND GRASS LEAVES

PARTS FUNCTIONS
Leaf blades In short, the blade of the leaf or the leaf blade is called the lamina of a
leaf. Few of these enable water transport to the leaf while the other
 carries food away from the leaf to other parts of the plant.
Petiole A petiole attaches the leaf to the stem and contains vascular tissue that
provides a connection from the stem to permit sap to enter the leaf and
the products of photosynthesis (carbohydrates) to be transported from the
leaf to the rest of the plant.
Stipules Stipules are the lateral appendages which are found attached at the base
of the leaf. Stipules mainly protect the bud and emerging young leaves. In
some plants, stipules carry out photosynthesis. Some stipules become
thorns, spines and protect the plant from damage by predators.
Midrib Their main function is to provide support to the plant, holding leaves,
flowers, and buds; in some cases, stems also store food for the plant. An
axillary bud is usually found in the axil (the area between the base of a
leaf and the stem) where it can give rise to a branch or a flower.
Veins and A midrib provides strength throughout the leaf, keeping it upright and
veinlet sturdy in the wind.
Apex The leaf apex is a protruding part of a leaf where water droplets
accumulate, and droplet separation occurs during drainage.

LIGUME AND GRASS ROOTS

PARTS FUNCTIONS
Primary root Its primary functions are anchorage of the plant, absorption of water and
dissolved minerals and conduction of these to the stem, and storage of
reserve foods.
Lateral root Lateral roots increase the volume of soil reached by the root, provide
anchorage, and participate in water and nutrient uptake and transport.
Apical meristem Capable of division and growth in the root and shoot tips in plants. Apical
meristems give rise to the primary plant body and are responsible for the
extension of the roots and shoots.
Main root or Absorb water and nutrients from the soil. They anchor the plant firmly.
Taproot They help in storing food and nutrients.
Fibrous root Fibrous root systems help prevent soil erosion as they anchor plants to the
top.

2. Name the five characteristics of the rice plant that is common to most grasses.

Answer: Rice is a type of grass (genus Oryza) that belongs to a family of plants that includes other
cereals such as wheat and corn. Rice grain is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals and is the staple
food for more than 3 billion people. Rice is grown across the world, and there are many varieties of rice
and different ways of cultivating them. However, all rice plants share common features and go through
three main stages of growth – vegetative, reproductive, and ripening – before the seed can be harvested
likewise with grasses. Llike any other grasses, the cultivated rice plant is an annual grass and grows to
about 1.2 metres (4 feet) in height and the leaves are long and flattened and are borne on hollow stems.

3. How would you distinguish a floret from a spikelet?

Answer: The spikelet shows an outward form and the floret shows floral organs inside of the palea and
lemma.

4. What is bud?

Answer: Bud is a small lateral or terminal protuberance on the stem of a vascular plant that may develop
into a flower, leaf, or shoot. Buds arise from meristem tissue.

5. At what point on the stem do leaves originate?

Answer: The point on the stem where leaves develop is called a node. The region between a pair of
adjacent nodes is called the internode. The internodes in the terminal bud are very short so that the
developing leaves grow above the apical meristem that produced them and thus protect it.

6. Compare grasses and legumes as to the following characteristics:

PLANT ROOT SYSTEM PRESCENCE FOOD INFLORESCENCE

CHARACTERS OF NODULE STORAGE FOR
SEEDLING
GRASSES Grasses and other There is no In monocots, Grass
monocotyledons nodule. such as corn inflorescences are
(angiosperms with and wheat, the classified as either
a single seed leaf) single cotyledon a spike or a
have a fibrous is called a panicle. In spike-
root system, scutellum; the type
characterized by a scutellum is inflorescences,
mass of roots of connected spikelets are
about equal directly to the attached directly
diameter. This embryo via to the
network of roots vascular tissue inflorescence
does not arise as (xylem and stem. ... The
branches of the phloem). Food panicle-type
primary root but reserves are inflorescences
consists of many stored in the contain primary,
branching roots large secondary and
that emerge from endosperm. sometimes higher-
the base of the order branches,
stem. with spikelets
forming on these
 Fibrous branches.
root  Spikelet
LEGUMES Legume roots can There is a As legumes are Legume
develop two types nodule, a result seeds with two inflorescences can
of secondary root of the symbiotic cotyledons, be umbels (white
organs: lateral interaction with they are known clover), spike-like
roots and nitrogen-fixing as dicotyledons, racemes(alfalfa),
nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria, they store their or racemes (field
nodules. collectively food in their pea). They are
  Taproot known as cotyledon and much more showy
rhizobia. not in the and colorful than
endosperm. grass
Hence they are inflorescences and
called are very useful for
exalbuminous identification
seeds. during the
reproductive
stage. Legumes
form pods which
contain one seed
or many seeds.
 Raceme

PLANT LEAF LEAF VARIATION LEAF

CHARACTERS TYPE/STRUCTURE ARRANGEMENT
GRASS The grass leaf is an Usually long and light Leaves of members of
elongated structure. color. the grass family
Parallel (Poaceae) are
distichous and
alternate. Their leaves
differ from most other
vascular plant leaves
in that they normally
consist of a split
tubular sheath that
surrounds the stem
and more or less
linear blades held at
right angles to the
stem.
LEGUMES They may be annual, Usually round or short Opposite.
biennial, or perennial. and mostly are dark. Legumes are
Perpendicular dicotyledonous plants
with compound,
usually trifoliolate (a
group of three
leaflets) leaves,
characterized by pod
fruits that dehisce
(split) along both
sutures (seams).

7. Rice is ordinarily self-fertilized, that is the pollen grain from the anther fertilize the ovule of the same
flower. Will the varieties grown side by side remain pure? Explain.
In angiosperms, pollination is defined as the placement or transfer of pollen from the anther to the
stigma of the same flower or another flower. In gymnosperms, pollination involves pollen transfer from
the male cone to the female cone. Rice is thought to be mainly self-pollinating. Self-pollination occurs
when the pollen from the anther is deposited on the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the
same plant. In this case, many flowers will remain unpollinated, failing to bear seeds if honeybees
disappear. Actually, self - pollination does not yield new varieties.

8. Corn is naturally cross pollinated crop. Why can self-pollination not occur on this crop?

REFERENCES

Elsevier, B.V., (2021) Chapter seven - grass inflorescence: basic structure and diversity. Advances in
Botanical, (72), 191-219.

McNight B. (2015) Why maize is cross pollinated crop. Retrived from:

https://www.mcknight360.com/dwda0bm3/why-maize-is-cross-pollinated-crop

Barnes, R.F., D.A. Miller, C. J. Nelson (eds). Forages: The Science of Grassland Agriculture. Volume II.
Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA. Chapters 4, 13-18.

Hall, Marvin H. 1992. Introducing Forage Species Selection: A Toolbox Approach. p..7. In: Journal of
Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, Vol. 21, No. 1 (Spring 1992).