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Seed Hunting
Seed hunting is an interesting but not very well known activity in which people look for and collect seeds from different plant types all over the world. This important work not only helps protect biodiversity, but it also helps people adapt to changing climates and keep genetic plant variety.
The Search for Seeds Around the World
Because of problems with the environment, hunting seeds has become a more important pastime around the world. It is usual for botanists and researchers to go to remote parts of the world to collect seeds from different kinds of plants. After that, these seeds are stored in seed banks, which are like libraries for future projects like plant breeding, study, and restoration.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway is one of the most famous seed banks. It is deep in an Arctic mountain and has a huge collection of seeds stored in a vault that can't be broken into. The area was chosen because it naturally stays cool and stable, which are both important for keeping seeds fresh for a long time.
Seed hunters have to deal with a lot of problems, from getting through rough terrain to making sure the seeds they collect will grow and be healthy. Often, the process needs to be carefully planned out and involve working together with pros and people in the community.
You can do more than just gather seeds when you go seed hunting. It's important to understand habitats, how species depend on each other, and how climate change impacts plants. To keep plant variety from going extinct and to keep hope alive for future generations, seed hunting has become an important tool.
WHAT SEEDS DO FOR BIODIVERSITY AND CLEANUP:
Seeds are very important for biodiversity and protection in many ways.
Different kinds of genes: Seeds contain the genetic material that plants need to reproduce. There can be big differences in genetic make-up between groups and between people within the same species. Plants can fight off pests and diseases, adapt to changing weather and climate, and change over time because they have a lot of different genes. Genetic variety must be kept alive for ecosystems to stay strong and healthy over time. One way to do this is to save seeds from a lot of different plant species.
Preservation of Species: Plant species that are threatened or rare are grown from seeds and then put back into the wild. Seed banks and conservation groups collect and store the seeds of rare and threatened plants as a way to protect them from going extinct. You can use these seeds to help with ex situ conservation in botanical gardens or other protected areas, or you can use them to start new populations in the wild or fix ecosystems that have been destroyed.
Ecosystem Restoration: Seeds are needed to fix and bring back to life habitats that have been damaged. Native plant seeds are often collected from nearby sources to use in restoration projects, which try to grow plants again in places where they were destroyed by mining, building cities, or other human activities. By bringing back native plant species, restoration projects can help make areas healthy again, boost biodiversity, and provide a home for other animals.
Crop variety: The use of seeds is what makes crop variety possible in farming. Indigenous people and traditional farming groups have made and kept a lot of different types of crops that are best for different climates and cultural preferences. But some traditional crop types have become less common because of changes in farming methods used today. This has led to genetic erosion and a loss of agricultural variety. Seed banks, gene banks, and community seed-saving programs are very important for keeping traditional farming methods alive and making sure that future generations will have access to a wide range of genetic resources.
TRUE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE NUMBERS OF THE SEED COLLECTION OFFICES
Plant Conservation International's Botanical Gardens:
Botanic parks in many countries have set up seed banks to store seeds, mostly from wild plants. BGCI data from 2019 shows that there are more than 400 botanic gardens with seed banks that store seeds for the short to middle term.
Some botanical parks have learned how to freeze embryos, tiny seeds, and tissues by putting them in liquid nitrogen at –196°C for a long time. These ways look like a great way to protect and maintain biodiversity, especially plant species that are hard or impossible to protect with traditional methods.
Botanic gardens should be aware of how quickly things stored there can be damaged by things like power outages, riots, bad weather, and natural disasters.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ACTION GROUP:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the name of the UN agency whose job it is to fight hunger. Green farming, which includes saving seeds, is made easier for countries by programs like the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
GROUP OF CONSULTANTS ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH:
CGIAR is a global group that funds research on food security and agricultural growth. It is made up of several research centers that work to improve crops and protect seeds. Examples include the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES:
IPGRI, which is now a part of Biodiversity International, worked to protect plant genetic resources, like seeds, and use them in a way that didn't harm the environment or people.
NATIONAL SYSTEMS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH:
National agricultural research programs in a number of countries do research on how to protect and improve crops. They often take care of seed banks and stores of genetic resources.
Types of Seeds
Different types of seeds can be put into different groups based on different factors. Here are a few popular types of groups:
Type of Seed: Monocotyledonous Seeds are plant parts that make one cotyledon (seed leaf) when they sprout. Grass, flowers, and palms are some examples.
Seeds from plants that make two cotyledons when they germinate are called dicotyledonous seeds. Beans, tomatoes, and sunflowers are some examples.
Structure of the seed: endosperm Seeds: seeds that have a large endosperm, which is a tissue that feeds the growing egg. Corn and wheat are two examples.
These are seeds that don't have much or any endosperm. Instead, the food is stored in the cotyledons. Beans and peas are two examples.
Ways that seeds get spread:
Dispersed wind Seeds: Seeds that have been modified to be spread by wind. They usually don't weigh much and have parts like wings or parachutes on them. Dandelion and maple seeds are two examples.
Animal-dispersed seeds are seeds that are spread by animals, either by eating them and then leaving them behind or by sticking to their fur or feathers. Berries and nuts are two examples.
Water-dispersed seeds are seeds that have been modified to be spread by water, usually by having structures that float or covers that keep water out. Coconuts and water flowers are two examples.
Self-dispersed Seeds: These are seeds that are spread by artificial parts inside the plant, like seed shakers or explosive seed pods. Peas and touch-me-not plants are two examples.
Dormancy of Seeds:
Physical dormancy: Seeds with tough shells that need to be scratched or scarified in order to sprout. A lot of cereals and some types of wildflowers are examples.
Physiological dormancy: Seeds that need certain treatments or conditions in their surroundings, like temperature, light, and moisture, to wake up and grow. Seeds from many trees and shrubs are one example.
Some seeds can't germinate because they have structures or cells that need to be broken down or penetrated before they can do so. This is called morphological dormancy. Some fruit tree seeds are an example.
Seed Size: Seeds can be put into groups based on their size, which ranges from orchid seeds that are very small to coconut seeds that are very big.
Length of Life:
Not long-lasting Plant seeds: seeds that can grow for a short time, usually only one or two years. Lettuce and radish seeds are two examples.
For a long time Seeds: Seeds that can grow and produce plants for many years if the right circumstances are met. Some examples are the seeds of trees like oaks and walnuts.
The following are the seed types that the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) has set out:
The nucleus seed
Because it is made from basic nucleus seed stock, this seed is genetically and physically 100% pure. This seed has not been approved by any group.
Seeds for breeds:
This is the child of the Nucleus seed. It was grown over a large area with the help of a plant breeder and committee monitoring. It gives you genetically and physically 100% pure seed for base class production. For this kind of seed, the organization that grows it gives out a bright yellow color certificate.
Seed for the base:
Reputable organizations in both the public and private sectors that make seeds make sure that the quality of breeder seed offspring stays high by following the guidelines set by a seed licensing organization. Seed certification groups give the foundation seed a white certificate.
To register a seed:
In the US, the generation between Foundation and Certified seed is called Registered seed, which is not a business class. This mostly applies to autogamous crops. A black tag shows that the seed is registered. Indian law does not accept this class in seed multiplication chain.
Seen as good:
As required by the Indian Seed Certification Standards, registered seed farmers grow offspring from foundation seeds while keeping an eye on seed quality. A blue certificate is given by the seed certification organization for this kind of seed. The length of the tag is 15 cm and its width is 7.5 cm.
Different kinds of seeds
Seed that was honestly marked (TL):
When a seed is sold based on the results of a lab set up by the producer, that seed is called TL seed. For example, seed made and sold by many private companies. The price of TL seed is always less than the price of government-certified seed. It's not labeled as true when seed is rejected because it is genetically unclean or has an unwanted disease, pest, or weed on it.
Conclusion
Seed hunting is an important part of farming, food security, and protecting wildlife. Seed hunters are very important for protecting genetic diversity because it helps ecosystems stay strong and adapt to changes in the environment. They do this by collecting and storing seeds from many different plant types. Seed hunting also encourages new ideas and better crops by providing important genetic materials for breeding programs that aim to make crops that last longer, produce more fruit, and have more nutrients. Seed hunting also helps keep cultural traditions alive and builds community strength by preserving traditional crop types and the knowledge that comes with saving seeds. Even so, it's very important that seed hunting is done in a way that is responsible and sustainable, following local laws, indigenous rights, and the principles of genetic resource management. For the good of both present and future generations, seed hunting can continue to help protect and make good use of plant genetic resources through partnerships between local people, governments, research institutions, and conservation groups.
REFERENCES:
https://foodtank.com/news/2020/07/26-organizations-working-to-conserve-seed-biodiversity/
https://www.fao.org/3/ad232e/AD232E03.htm
https://www.biotecharticles.com/PDF_Articles/SEED_PRODUCTION_CLASSES_CERTIFICATION_BA_3953.pdf
https://www.fao.org/plant-treaty/news/news-detail/en/c/1664857
