What is a dead seed?

Question

This question has something to do with Biological Science and Agriculture.

Answer 1

A dead seed is a non-viable seed (one that will not grow into a plant), as opposed to a dormant seed, which will. Tests can be done to determine this, for example, the Tetrazolium (TZ) Test:

"The TZ test distinguishes between viable and dead tissues based on the respiration activity of seeds (i.e., dehydrogenase enzymes activity). Living cells will stain with red color while dead cells remain colorless. Vigor evaluation is made on the basis of color intensity, location, missing embryo parts, fractures, and location of imperfect embryo parts within the essential embryonic structures "

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