Llavors

Llavors is the Catalan word for seeds, the reproductive units of seed plants. In botany, a seed typically forms after fertilization and contains an embryo, a supply of stored nutrients, and a protective outer coat called the testa. Seeds enable plants to disperse offspring and survive unfavorable seasons by entering dormancy until conditions improve.

Anatomy: The embryo comprises the radicle (the future root) and the shoot tip (plumule). The nutritive tissue may be endosperm or cotyledons, depending on species. The outer seed coat protects the embryo and helps regulate water loss and germination.

Germination and dormancy: Germination begins with imbibition, the uptake of water, followed by resumption of metabolism and growth. Dormancy is a natural brake that prevents germination under unsuitable conditions; it can be physical (hard seed coat), physiological (chemical inhibitors), or a combination. Breakage of dormancy depends on cues such as temperature, light, or scarification.

Dispersal and storage: Seeds disperse via wind, water, animals, or mechanical ejection, enabling range expansion. They can be stored in seed banks or farms, often for long periods. Orthodox seeds tolerate drying and freezing; recalcitrant seeds do not and require special handling.

Uses and importance: Seeds are central to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. Seed quality, certification, and biodiversity preservation are important for food security and ecosystem resilience. Seed saving and public-domain access to seeds also influence farming practices and crop genetics.