Seed size and chemical composition: the allocation of minerals to seeds and their use in early seedling growth

Abstract

Summary The seed size that is characteristic of each plant species is of central importance for their regeneration because of its effect on dispersability and seedling establishment. The chemical composition of the stored nutrients is also important in the early stages of growth. The factors that influence individual seed size and nutrient allocation during development on the parent plant are examined, and allocation strategies are compared in different plants. Experiments to determine the effective supply of different elements in seeds are reviewed. The apparent imbalance in the seed nutrient allocation is discussed. Mineral use in early seedling growth is described and the exhaustion of internal nutrient reserves is considered as a means of defining the end of seedling growth phase.