Benih

Benih is the Indonesian and Malay word for seed, the reproductive unit of plants that contains an embryo and, in many seeds, stored nutrients. In everyday language, it also refers to the offspring or progeny of a person or animal in a figurative sense.

Biology and structure: Seeds form when a plant ovule is fertilized. They typically consist of an embryo, a food reserve (endosperm or cotyledons), and a protective seed coat. Many species exhibit dormancy to survive unfavorable conditions; germination resumes when water uptake, oxygen, and suitable temperature and light cues align.

Classification and use: Seeds are produced by both angiosperms and gymnosperms. In angiosperms, seeds may have one or two cotyledons. Seeds provide the means of propagation for crops such as rice, wheat, maize, beans, and vegetables, and they support biodiversity in ecosystems. Seed selection and breeding underpin agriculture and horticulture.

Ecology and storage: Seed dispersal occurs via wind, water, animals, or mechanical release. For conservation and agriculture, seeds are stored in gene or seed banks under controlled conditions to maintain viability; orthodox seeds tolerate drying and freezing, while recalcitrant seeds do not. Seed quality control, labeling, and legal frameworks govern seed distribution and use.