Using relevant examples, describe how fruits and seeds are adapted/ suited to various methods of dispersal.

a)Wind dispersal
-Some seeds have developed hairy structures; feather-like projections; wing-like structures; which increase their surface area to be carried away by wind/ to be blown about by wind;
-Seeds and fruits e.g. Nandi flame seeds; are light/small; to be carried by air currents;
-Some fruits have open/perforated capsules; attached on long stalks which are swayed by wind scattering the seeds;
b)Animal dispersal
-Some fruits e.g. Black Jack; have hooks/spikes; to stick/attach to the animal’s body;
-Some fruits e.g. Tomatoes/ mangoes/ Avocadoes are succulent/fleshy/juicy; hence they attract animals which eat them and carry them away from the parent plant;
-Some fruits are in clusters e.g straw berries /large/conspicuous e.g. tomatoes/ avocadoes; attract/be easily seen by animals;
-Some fruits e.g. tomatoes; are brightly colored; to attract/be easily seen by animals;
-Some seeds have a hard/ tough testa (seed coat) e.g. Guava seeds, orange seeds; with sticky/ mucoid/ slimy secretions; making them resistant to digestive enzymes hence pass out through the gut undigested/pass out with faeces;
-Some fruits e.g. bananas; have sweet smell/aroma/are scented; to attract animals;
c)Water dispersal
-Some fruits and seeds are light e.g. coconut; to float on water;
-Some fruits e.g. coconut; have fibrous spongy mesocarps; to accumulate/trap air making them bouyant or for floating on water;
-Some fruits e.g. water lily; produce seeds whose seed coats trap air bubbles; making them float on water;
-Fruits and seeds e.g. coconut; have water proof pericarp and seed testa respectively; hence remain afloat without sinking/soaking;
d)Self-dispersal mechanism; Some fruits (e.g. legumes/ pods) have lines of weakness (sutures); which split open when dry scattering/ throwing away the seeds;