FRUITS

A fruit, in botanical terms, is the mature or ripened ovary of a flowering plant

that encloses the seeds. The primary functions of a fruit are to protect the
developing seeds and aid in their dispersal.
Definition
A fruit is a seed-bearing structure developed from the ovary of an angiosperm
flower after fertilization. While the everyday term "fruit" often refers to sweet,
edible, fleshy produce, the botanical definition also includes items like bean pods,
corn grains, tomatoes, and nuts.
The fruit wall, known as the pericarp, is typically composed of three layers: the
outer epicarp, the middle mesocarp (often the edible part), and the inner endocarp
which surrounds the seed(s).
Classification
Fruits are categorized into three main types based on their floral origin:

 Simple Fruits: Developing from a single ovary of one flower, these are the
most common. They can be fleshy (like mangoes and grapes) or dry (such as
peas and nuts).
 Aggregate Fruits: Formed from a single flower with multiple separate
ovaries that develop into clustered fruitlets (e.g., raspberries and
blackberries).
 Multiple (Composite) Fruits: Originating from an entire group of flowers
whose ovaries fuse into a single fruit (e.g., pineapple and jackfruit).

Fruits that incorporate other floral parts besides the ovary, such as apples where the
thalamus contributes, are called false fruits or accessory fruits.
Development
Fruit development begins with fertilization. This process involves pollination,
followed by the fusion of male and female gametes to form an embryo within the
ovule. Hormonal signals from the developing seeds prompt the ovary to enlarge
and mature into a fruit. The ovary wall becomes the pericarp, and ovules turn into
seeds. Maturation involves changes in color, texture, and sugar content, making the
fruit attractive for seed dispersal. Some fruits, like bananas, can develop without
fertilization through parthenocarpy, resulting in seedless varieties
Fruits are an important and characteristic element of plants (angiosperms). But
what actually constitutes a fruit? Is a tomato considered a fruit or a vegetable?
How is it formed in a plant? Let us take a look at the different parts, types and uses
of a fruit.

A flower is a reproductive unit and the fruits are the outcome of reproduction.

Table of Contents

 Fruit
 Parts of a Fruit
o Pericarp
o Seeds
 Types of Fruits
o Simple Fruits
o Aggregate Fruits
o Composite Fruits
 Uses of Fruits

What is a Fruit?

Fruits are seed-bearing structures. It develops from a ripe ovary. They are a rich
source of vitamins, minerals and fibres. Grapes, bananas, papaya, watermelon are
some of the fruits consumed by humans. They are the main source of a balanced
diet.

Let us have a detailed look at the parts, uses and types of fruits.

Parts of a Fruit

A fruit comprises the following parts:

 Pericarp
 Seeds
Pericarp

The pericarp is the wall of the ovary that develops as the wall of the fruits. The
pericarp of the fruits might be fleshy as in guava, mango, etc. or might be dry as in
mustard, walnut, etc. The pericarp is further differentiated into three layers,
namely:
  Epicarp: Outermost layer, forms the peel.
 Mesocarp: Middle layer, fleshy, edible portion of the fruits
 Endocarp: Innermost layer, the inner rough portion where the seed is
accommodated

Seeds

Seeds are ripened fertilized ovules. It is an embryonic plant enclosed in a

protective outer covering.

Also Read: Significance of seeds and fruit formation

Types of Fruits

Based on the number of ovaries and the number of flowers involved in the fruit
formation, fruits are classified into three major groups namely:

Simple Fruits

These fruits develop from a single matured ovary in a single flower. Apple,
banana, cherry pear, plum, tomato are few examples of simple fruits. The simple
fruits are classified into the following categories:

 Drupes: These are also known as stone fruits since it contains a very hard
seed inside the simple fruits. For eg., plum, cherry, peach.
 Berries: These type of fruits have a single seed in the center and are very
juicy. For eg., grapes, blueberries.
 Pomes: Such fruits bloom from trees. For eg., apple, papaya
 Hesperidium and Pepos: They are slightly similar to the berries and
include fruits such as watermelon, citrus fruits.

Aggregate Fruits

These fruits develop from a number of matured ovaries formed in a single flower.
Individual ovaries are called “fruitlets.” Blackberry, raspberry, strawberry are few
examples of aggregate fruits.

Composite Fruits

These fruits develop from a complete inflorescence. these are also known as
multiple fruits. Composite fruits are of two types:
  Sorosis: These are found in mulberry, jackfruits and pineapple. They
develop from catkin, spikes and spadix type of inflorescence.
 Syconus: This develops from hypanthodium type of inflorescence.

Also Read: Fruit and seeds formation without Fertilization

Uses of Fruits

Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential for a healthy human
body. For instance, we know that oranges are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is vital
to neutralize any free radicals in our body. Also, acids in citrus fruits are very
effective in skin whitening and exfoliation. Besides consumption, these citrus acids
can help to get rid of mineral deposits and grease on cooking utensils.

Fibre-rich fruits like raspberries are very good for digestion. The protein in papaya,
called papain, can help the breakdown of proteins, and therefore aid digestion. It
also reduces acidity levels and eases indigestion.

Palm dates have a low glycemic index and hence, they are very useful in blood
sugar regulation. Furthermore, it is high in dietary fibre and is very helpful for
digestion.

Grapes have a chemical called Reservatrol that functions similar to aspirin, giving
it the properties of an analgesic (painkillers).

Questions on Fruit Definition

Q1

Define fruits.

Fruits are seed-bearing structures formed from the ovaries of flowering plants after
flowering.

Q2

What are the types of fruits?

Simple, aggregate, multiple and accessory are the four types of fruits.
Seed Formation

A seed is formed when fertilised ovule divides by mitosis. It stores food and has
the potential to develop into a new plant under optimal conditions.

Fertilization is the process of fusion of male gamete and female gamete to form a
zygote. Pollen grains are transferred to stigma by various pollinating agents such as
water, wind, butterflies, insects, animals, birds, etc. After reaching stigma, the male
gamete fuses with the egg in the ovule and forms a zygote. Thus fertilization takes
place and so the formed zygote divides and develops into an embryo.

Following the fertilization, every part of the flower sheds off except the ovary. The
ovary of the flower develops into the fruit while ovules develop into seeds. The
formation of seed completes the process of reproduction in plants. Within the seed,
the growing embryo develops and matures.

Seed Dispersal

The seeds formed that fall on the ground might not always be planted by humans.
They are dispersed by certain agents such as wind, water, animals, etc.

Seeds require adequate sunlight, water, space, and minerals for proper growth. The
distribution of seeds in different places avoids the problem of competition for basic
requirements and results in the healthy growth of the plant.

Seed dispersal takes place both naturally as well as artificially. Botanists and
garden-keepers practice the artificial methods of seed dispersal. The natural
methods of seed dispersal are discussed below:

Wind Dispersal

Seeds of a few plants such as dandelions have feathery bristles and can be carried
away by the wind. These are blown away by the wind and land in different places.
A few seeds land at places suitable for growth.

Water Dispersal
The seeds float away in water from the parent plant and get dispersed. For eg., if a
mangrove seed falls in the water, it is carried away through streams and rivers to
grow somewhere else.

Animal Dispersal

Animals disperse seeds in a variety of ways. A few plants produce seeds inside
fleshy fruits that are eaten by an animal. The fruit gets digested by the animals and
the seeds are passed out through the digestive tract. Squirrels bury the seeds but
might not return to take them. These seeds grow into a new plant.

What is a Seed?

Seeds are the unit of the reproduction of a flowering plant that is capable to
develop into a single plant. In some species of plant, like walnuts, groundnuts, and
chickpeas, seeds are also used as sources of food.

A fully grown and developed seed has three primary parts: the embryo, endosperm,
and seed coat. The plumule is present in the seed embryo, which develops into a
new plant.

Also, read: Parts of a Seed

What is Seed Dispersal?

Seed Dispersal is an adaptive mechanism in all seed-bearing plants, participating in

the movement or transport of seeds away from their parent plant to ensure the
germination and survival of some of the seeds to adult plants. There are many
vectors to transport the seed from one place to another.

Also, read: Formation and Dispersal of Seeds

Types of Seed Dispersal

There are different ways in which seeds from its parent plant is dispersed. These
include:

Seed Dispersal by Wind

The wind is the natural and fundamental means of seed dispersal in the plant
kingdom. This process of dispersal is mainly seen in those plants which bear very
light seeds. The seeds of the orchid plant, dandelions, swan plants, cottonwood
tree, hornbeam, ash, cattail, puya, willow herb, are all examples of plants whose
seed are dispersed by the wind.

Seed Dispersal by Water

In this method of seed dispersal, seeds float away from their parent plant. These
are mainly seen in those plant which lives in water or nearby the water bodies like
beaches, lakes, ponds etc. Coconut, palm, mangroves, water lily, water mint, are a
few examples of plants whose seed are dispersed by the water.

Seed Dispersal by Animal and Birds

There are different ways in which animals and birds disperse the seeds.

Few animals and birds are attracted to bright colourful fruits. They eat the entire
fruit and only the juicy part is digested by their system and the seed are excreted
out in the form of their dropping, which forms into new plants. Blackberry, cherry,
tomato and apple seeds are dispersed in this way.

A few species of squirrels collect nuts from different plants like acorns and bury
them under the soil as they store food for the winter season and often forget the
place where they have previously buried them and the seeds grow into new trees.

There are a few plants which bear seeds with hooks. Burdock plant is an example
of this type of plant species. The seed of these plants catches on the fur of animals
and are carried away to different places, far from their parent plants.

Dates, rambutan, sea grapes, sea holly, tamarind, raspberry, sunflower, tomatoes
are a few examples of plants whose seeds are dispersed by animals and birds.

Seed Dispersal by Gravity

Gravity is a force of attraction that exists among all the objects in the universe.

As the fruits from the tree fall on the ground due to the force of attraction, they
sometimes roll down to some smaller distance, get buried in the soil after a few
days and germinate into a new plant.
In certain cases, fruits which do not have very hard seed coat may crack and open
after falling down from a height, which leads to a better dispersion of seeds.

In some cases, the fallen fruit is carried by other agents like water, wind, birds or
animal and helps in the dispersion of seeds.

Apples, Commelina, canna, coconuts, calabash, passion fruit are a few examples of
plants whose seeds are dispersed by Gravity – A force of attraction.

Seed Dispersal by Explosions

Explosions in fruits literally refer to bursting with all its energy. In this case, as the
fruits get ripened, it shoots out its seeds into the external environment. This type of
seed dispersal is mainly seen in those plants having pods.

Okra, Lupins, gorse, and broom are a few examples of plants whose seeds are
dispersed by Explosions. Pea and bean plants also have pods and the seeds burst
out when they ripen and pod has dried.
GERMINATION

What is Seed Germination?

Seed germination may be defined as the fundamental process by which different

plant species grow from a single seed into a plant. This process influences both
crop yield and quality.

A common example of seed germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed

of an angiosperm or gymnosperm.

Also, read: Formation and Dispersal of Seeds

The Process of Seed Germination

The complete process of seed germination is carried out in the following steps:

 During the beginning stage of germination, the seeds take up water rapidly
and this results in swelling and softening of the seed coat at an optimum
temperature. This stage is referred to as Imbibition. It starts the growth
process by activation of enzymes. The seed activates its internal physiology
and starts to respire and produce proteins and metabolizes the stored food.
This is a lag phase of seed germination.
  By rupturing of the seed coat, radicle emerges to form a primary root. The
seed starts absorbing underground water. After the emerging of the radicle
and the plumule, shoot starts growing upwards.

 In the final stage of seed germination, the cell of the seeds become
metabolically active, elongates and divides to give rise to the seedling.

Also Read Parts of a Seed.

Conditions Necessary for Seed Germination

Here are some important requirements which are essential for a seed to germinate
into a seedling and to a plant.

Water: It is extremely necessary for the germination of seeds. Some seeds are
extremely dry and need to take a considerable amount of water, relative to the dry
weight of the seed. Water plays an important role in seed germination. It helps by
providing necessary hydration for the vital activities of protoplasm, provides
dissolved oxygen for the growing embryo, softens the seed coats and increases the
seed permeability. It also helps in the rupturing of seed and also converts the
insoluble food into soluble form for its translocation to the embryo.

Oxygen: It is an important and essential source of energy required for seed growth.
It is required by the germinating seed for metabolism and is used as a part of
aerobic respiration until it manages to grow green leaves of its own. Oxygen can
be found in the pores of soil particles, but if the seed is buried too deep it will be
deprived of this oxygen.

Temperature: For a seed to germinate, it requires a moderate temperature of around

25-30°C. Quite obviously different seeds require different optimum temperatures.
There are some seeds which require special requirements either lower or higher
temperature between 5 to 40°C.

Light or darkness: This can act as an environmental trigger. Many seeds do not
germinate until sunlight falls on them.

The process of seed germination triggers under the above mentioned favourable
conditions. The seeds undergo rapid expansion and growth of the embryo and
subsequently rupturing the covering layers and emergence of the radicle. This
radicle emergence is considered the completion of germination.
Factors Affecting Seed Germination

There are some major factors that affect seed germination. These include:

External Factors

1. Water: The poor or additional supply of water affects seed germination.

2. Temperature: This affects the growth rate as well as the metabolism of the
seed.
3. Oxygen: Germinating seeds respire vigorously and release the energy
required for their growth. Therefore, deficiency of oxygen affects seed
germination.

In certain cases, a temperature below the moderate level slows down seed
germination and promotes fungal growth. In some cases, germination stops at the
temperature above the moderate level.

Internal Factors

Seed Dormancy

This is a condition in which the seeds are prevented from germinating even under
favourable conditions.

During seed dormancy:

1. The seed coat, which is resistant to water and gases, restricts water-uptake
and oxygen exchange.
2. The seeds with undeveloped or immature embryo do not germinate.
3. Certain seeds contain plant growth regulators, which inhibit seed
germination.
4. Some seeds require more time for their germination.

Germination is the process by which a seed sprouts and develops into a seedling. The necessary
conditions are
water, oxygen, and a suitable temperature, while the main types are epigeal and hypogeal.
Conditions Necessary for Germination
Most seeds require specific external conditions to break dormancy and begin growing.

 Water (Moisture): This is essential for germination. Water is absorbed through the seed
coat (a process called imbibition), which causes the seed to swell and rupture the coat.
Water also activates the enzymes needed to convert the stored, insoluble food in the
cotyledons or endosperm into a soluble form that the embryo can use for energy and
growth.
 Oxygen (Air): Oxygen is required for the germinating seed to perform aerobic
respiration. This process releases the energy necessary for the rapid cell division and
growth of the embryo.
 Suitable Temperature (Warmth): Each species has an optimum temperature range for
germination, typically between 25-30°C for many plants. Temperature affects the activity
of the enzymes involved in the process; temperatures that are too high will denature the
enzymes, while temperatures that are too low will inactivate them.
 Light or Darkness: This factor varies by plant species. Some seeds (e.g., lettuce) are
positively photoblastic and require light to germinate, while others (e.g., beans, tomatoes)
are negatively photoblastic and germinate best in the dark.
 Seed Viability: An internal factor, the seed must be alive and healthy for germination to
occur.

Types of Germination
Germination is categorized based on the fate of the cotyledons (seed leaves) relative to the soil
surface.

 Epigeal Germination: In this type, the hypocotyl (embryonic stem part below the
cotyledons) elongates rapidly and pushes the cotyledons above the soil surface. Once
exposed to light, the cotyledons often turn green and start photosynthesizing, acting as
the first leaves until the true leaves develop.
o Examples: Beans, castor, cotton, and onions.
 Hypogeal Germination: In this type, the epicotyl (embryonic stem part above the
cotyledons) elongates, while the hypocotyl remains short, so the cotyledons stay below
the soil surface. The cotyledons provide nourishment to the growing seedling from their
stored food reserves.
o Examples: Peas, maize (corn), rice, gram, and mango.