Magterjesztés

Magterjesztés, often translated as seed dispersal, is the movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant. This process is crucial for plant reproduction and survival, as it helps to prevent overcrowding, reduce competition for resources, and colonize new areas. Various agents facilitate magterjesztés, including wind, water, animals, and even gravity.

Wind dispersal, or anemochory, is common for plants with lightweight seeds or those possessing specialized structures like wings or feathery plumes that aid in aerial transport. Water dispersal, or hydrochory, occurs when seeds are carried by rivers, streams, or ocean currents, often seen in aquatic or riparian plants. Animals play a significant role through zoochory. This can happen when seeds are ingested and passed through the digestive tract (endozoochory), or when they are carried externally attached to fur or feathers (epizoochory), or intentionally cached by animals like squirrels and then forgotten. Gravity, or barochory, is a simpler form where fruits and seeds simply fall from the parent plant, sometimes rolling or being moved short distances by physical forces. Successful magterjesztés is vital for maintaining plant biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.