Methods of Dispersal of Fruits and Seeds

What is Dispersal?

Dispersal of fruits and seeds is the spreading of fruits and seeds away from the mother plant. This helps plants to:

• Reduce competition for water, light, minerals, and space

• Find new habitats

• Increase diversity

• Protect themselves from pests and diseases

1. Dispersal by Animals

Adaptations

• Fruits have succulent edible parts

• Fruits have attractive colours

• Seeds possess hooks or hairs to attach to animals

• Some seeds have special shapes and patterns that attract or deceive animals

2. Dispersal by Wind

Adaptations

• Thread-like structures help seeds float in air

• Wing-like structures help fruits glide

• Fruits and seeds are borne at the top of plants

• Seeds are very light

• Produced in large numbers

3. Dispersal by Water

   
   

Adaptations

• Porous or fibrous pericarps

• Pericarps suitable for floating

• Air-filled shells

4. Dispersal by Explosive Mechanism

Adaptation

• Fruit pericarp bursts suddenly and scatters seeds far away.

• Explosion may occur due to:

• Touch

• Moisture

• Dry weather conditions

Examples

• Rubber

• Ladies fingers (Okra)

• Koodalu

• Madatiya (Red bead)

Revision

Why do plants disperse seeds?

• Reduce competition

• Find new habitats

• Increase diversity

• Avoid pests and diseases

  
  

Four Methods of Dispersal

• Animals

• Wind

• Water

• Explosive

In One Line

A-W-W-E → Animals, Wind, Water, Explosive

Animals eat → Wind flies → Water floats → Explosive bursts