Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:
Seed is often described as a fertilised ovule. Seeds are formed inside fruits. A seed typically consists of seed coat(s), cotyledon(s) and an embryonal axis. Mature seeds may be albuminous or non-albuminous.
The seed of which plant germinated after an estimated record of 10,000 years of dormancy?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Lupinus arcticus
Seeds stay alive (viable) for very different lengths of time. In some species they lose viability within a few months, while some seeds remain alive for hundreds of years. The oldest record of a viable seed is that of a lupine, Lupinus arcticus, dug out of the Arctic Tundra. This seed germinated and flowered after about 10,000 years of dormancy. The date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, holds a much more recent record, a seed about 2000 years old.
NCERT Extract:
Seed – “… Seeds of a large number of species live for several years. Some seeds can remain alive for hundreds of years. There are several records of very old yet viable seeds. The oldest is that of a lupine, Lupinus arcticus excavated from Arctic Tundra. The seed germinated and flowered after an estimated record of 10,000 years of dormancy. A recent record of 2000 years old viable seed is of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera discovered during the archeological excavation at King Herod’s palace near the Dead Sea.”