Phases of Seed Formation

The process of seed formation can be divided into two phases:

1. The division phase, in which fertilised egg divides mitotically and completes embryonic development.
2. The desiccation phase-In this phase the embryo usually enters a period of inactivity or dormancy. Further divisions do not occur and the average water content of the seed falls below 15%, the respiration slows down, mitochondria start losing their structure as was seen by using electron microscopy and protein synthesis is also slowly arrested.