Unit 1: Living Organisms

1 Growing Plants
NCF Competencies Covered: C-1.1
Expected Learning Outcomes C-2.1, C-4.1, C-4.3, C-4.5 and C-6.1

Knowledge to be gained : • Parts of a seed • Germination of a seed • Dispersal of seeds

• Growing new plants from other plant-parts • Agriculture • Crops
Skill to be developed : • Ways of growing news plants.
Attitude to be inculcated : • We should grow more trees.
Plants form a major part of our environment. We all depend on them to survive, as they help
us in many ways. They give us food to eat, medicines to cure, oxygen to breathe and fibres for
clothing. Therefore, plants are called our green friends. Without plants, we cannot live.
Thus, we must grow more plants and take care of them.

Grains and Fruits and

Pulses Vegetables

Plants
Our Green Wood

Friends
Cotton

Tea Oil and

Medicine

Things we get from plants

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 We know that seeds germinate and grow into new plants. We can also grow new plants from
other parts of the plant like stems, roots and leaves. In this Chapter, we will learn how new
plants grow from seeds and other parts.

PARTS OF A SEED
Baby plant
Seed Coat
The thick outer covering of the seed is called the
Seed coat
seed coat. It protects the seed. It has a tiny hole
on one side. This hole allows water to enter inside
Tiny hole
Seed leaf the seed.
(Cotyledon)
Seed Leaves (Cotyledons)
Food for the baby plant inside the seed is stored
Outer part of Inner part of
a seed a seed in seed leaves called cotyledons.
The baby plant lies between the cotyledons. Cotyledons protect the baby plant. Seeds like
gram and bean have two cotyledons and are called dicot seeds. Seeds like rice and wheat
have only one cotyledon and are called monocot seeds.

GERMINATION OF A SEED
A single plant produces many seeds. But all seeds do not grow into new plants.
• Some seeds are eaten up by birds, insects or other animals.
• Some of them are destroyed by wind and rain.
• Some seeds do not grow because they do not get sufficient air, water or warmth.
When a seed gets enough water, air and sunlight, it grows into a baby plant called a
seedling. The growth of a baby plant from a seed is called germination. In the beginning
of germination, the baby plant or seedling gets the food from the cotyledons.

The seed gets Roots and Seed coat breaks Plant grows and
water, air and shoots develop and the baby plant leaves develop in it.
warmth. in baby plants. grows out of it. Cotyledons shrink
and disappear.
Stages of germination in a bean seed

Seeds should be sown with

Do proper gaps among them
You ? so that they could get
s u ffi c i e n t a i r, w a t e r,
Know sunlight, nutrients and
space to grow.
Germination of a bean plant
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DISPERSAL OF SEEDS
We know that plants cannot move on their own. Nature has, therefore, arranged some
methods by which the seeds of some plants get scattered over large distances. The scattering
of seeds away from the mother plant is called dispersal of seeds. Seeds are dispersed by
wind, water, birds, animals, etc. These are known as agents of dispersal.
Dispersal of seeds is essential because if all seeds fall very close to the parent plant, none of
them would get enough air, water and sunlight to grow into healthy plants.
Now, we will discuss in detail about the dispersal of seeds by various agents of dispersal.

Dispersal by Wind
Some plants have very light seeds. These seeds also have wings or hair. When wind blows,
they are easily carried away from the parent plants. Madar, dandelion and cotton seeds are
dispersed by wind.

Cotton seed Madar seed Dandelion seed

Seed dispersal by wind
Dispersal by Animals
Animals and human beings eat fruits, like apples,
Do
mangoes and watermelons, and throw away their seeds.
These seeds grow into new plants. Seeds of some plants
You ? Squirrels bury nuts to eat
during winter and o en
Know
forget where they have
like Xanthium, Tiger nail and Spear grass have buried them. These nuts
hooks or spines. They get attached to the hairy skin of may sprout into new plants.
animals or the clothes of human beings and are carried
to other places. These seeds also grow into new plants.

Hooks Spines

Xanthium seed Tiger nail seed Spear grass

Seed dispersal by animals
Dispersal by Water
The lotus fruit has a spongy part, and the coconut has a thick fibre coat, which makes them
light and enables them to float on water. So, when they fall into the water, they float and
travel with the stream to far-off places.
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 Coconut fruit Lotus fruit Lotus
Dispersal of seeds by water

Dispersal by Explosion
Some fruits burst open or explode when they become dry. The force of the explosion helps
the seeds to scatter away. This is called dispersal by explosion. Poppy, pea and balsam
seeds get dispersed by explosion.

Pea pod Balsam fruit

bursts open explodes

Dispersal of seeds by explosion of fruits

CHECK YOURSELF
Tick (3) the correct option:

1. A baby plant is called a _________________.

(a) cotyledon (b) seedling (c) shoot

2. Which of the following seeds is dispersed by air?

(a) cotton (b) coconut (c) bean
3. Which of the following is not an agent of dispersal?
(a) water (b) wind (c) soil

GROWING NEW PLANTS FROM ROOTS, STEMS, LEAVES AND

SPORES
Apart from seeds, some new plants can also be grown from their roots, stems, leaves and
spores. This method of growing a plant is called vegetative propagation.
1. New Plants from Roots: Roots of some plants such as carrots, radishes, turnip
and sweet potatoes can produce new plants. The following activity shows us, how new
plants grow from roots.
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 Activity 1
Aim: To get a new plant from sweet potato.
Method: Take a sweet potato and place it in a glass full
of water with the help of some toothpicks as shown in
the figure. Keep this glass in an open space, so that it
can get fresh air and sunlight. A er a few days, a new
plant grows out of it.
Conclusion: Some roots can grow into new plants. Sweet potato: New plant from root

2. New Plants from Underground Stems: Underground stems like onions,

ginger and potatoes can grow into new plants. Potato and ginger have eyes on them;
each eye grows into a bud under suitable conditions. When these buds are planted in
the soil, they grow into new plants.
Bud Potato plant

Potato eye
New plants from underground stem
3. New Plants from Stems: Plants such as rose, hibiscus and sugarcane have buds on
their stem. To grow them into new plants, just cut their stem. This is called stem-
cutting. Plant a stem-cutting into the soil. After a few days, it grows into a new plant as
shown in the figure.

Rose stem Rose plant

New plants from stem-cutting
4. New Plants from Leaves: Plants like bryophyllum have buds on the edges of their
leaves. When such leaves are kept in moist soil, these buds produce new plants as
shown in the figure.

Leaf of Bryophyllum New plant Bryophyllum plant

New plants from leaves
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 5. New Plants from Spores: Plants such as ferns, mushrooms and moss do not have
flowers. They do not produce seeds. They have tiny spores. Each spore can grow into a
new plant.

Fern Mushroom Moss

Plants producing spores

CHECK YOURSELF
Tick (3) the correct option:
1. We can grow a new plant from a carrot, it is an example of a plant from:
(a) leaves (b) stems (c) roots
2. Which of the following plants grows from a stem-cutting?
(a) rose (b) bryophyllum (c) money plant
3. In the bryophyllum plant, buds are present in the _________________ .
(a) leaves (b) stem (c) roots

AGRICULTURE
In our daily life, we eat different types of food, including vegetables, fruits, pulses, meat,
dairy products, eggs, etc. We also wear different types of clothes in different seasons. We get
all these things from plants and animals. To get these things, a large number of plants and
animals are needed. The mass production of plants and animals for food and other purposes
is called agriculture. Here, we are only discussing the agricultural activities related to
plants. Various stages of agriculture are as follows:

1. Ploughing 2. Manuring 3. Sowing seeds

It helps to loosen the soil. It helps to add nutrients Plants grow from these
to the soil. seeds.
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 4. Irrigation 5. Spraying pesticides 6. Cutting and gathering
It helps to supply It kills the pests and of crops
sufficient water to plants. protects the crops. When the crop is ready,
it is cut and gathered.
CROPS
Plants of a kind grown in a particular area or region, during a particular period, are called
crops. Some of the crops that are grown are as follows:
Ÿ Food crops such as rice, maize and wheat.
Ÿ Fibre crops such as jute, cotton and flax.
Ÿ Oil-producing crops such as peanut, mustard and linseed.
All crops need water, sunlight, air and good soil. However, different crops grow well under
different conditions. For example, wheat grows well in cold weather while rice grows well in
hot weather. Bajra requires less water and grows well in sandy soil, but rice requires lots of
water and grows well in clayey soil.
Summer Crops
In India, we have two crop seasons during the year. Crops grown in summer, i.e., from June
to October, are called Kharif crops. Rice, millets, maize, pulses, jowar, bajra, jute, hemp and
peanuts are some examples of Kharif crops.
Some vegetables that grow best in summer are onion, pumpkin, brinjal, okra (lady finger),
spinach, tomato, garlic and gourd. Some fruits that grow best in summer are mango, melon,
litchi, plum, apricot and peach.

Rice (Kharif) Maize (Kharif) Spinach (Kharif)

Winter Crops
Crops grown in winter, i.e., from November to April, are called Rabi crops. Wheat,
barley, gram, mustard and peas grow well in winter.
Some vegetables that grow best in winter are cauliflower, carrot, radish, turnip, peas
and beans. Some fruits that grow best in winter are apple, banana and pomegranate.
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 Wheat (Rabi) Mustard (Rabi) A tea garden
Tea and coffee grow best in fields where water is not allowed to be collected in one place.
That is why they grow well on the hilly slopes of Assam, Darjeeling and Nilgiris.

How to Grow a Good Crop?

To grow healthy crops and get good yields from them, farmers should keep the following
things in mind:
Ÿ Soil should be suitable for the type of crop being grown and well prepared for planting.
Ÿ Manures and fertilisers should be added to increase the fertility of the soil.
Ÿ Good quality seeds should be sown.
Ÿ Crops should be given the right amount of water at the appropriate time.

Protection of Crops NCF C-4.5

Birds, insects, squirrels, moles, etc., damage the crops. So, crops need protection from them
before and after harvesting. We can use pesticides and insecticides to protect crops. After
harvesting, grains and seeds should be stored properly.

NEW WORDS
Seed coat : outer covering of a seed that protects it
Seedling : small baby plant coming out of a seed
Crops : growing plants of the same kind on a large scale at one place
Insec cides : chemical used to destroy harmful insects on plants

SUMMARY
v We all depend on plants to survive.
v Seed coat protects the seed.
v The growth of a baby plant from a seed is called germination.
v Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, birds and animals.
v Some new plants can also be grown from their roots, stems and leaves.
v Potato and ginger have eyes on them from where new plants grow.
v The mass production of plants and animals for food and other purposes is called
agriculture.
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 v All crops need water, sunlight, air and good soil.
v Summer crops are called kharif crops.
v Winter crops are called rabi crops.

Exercise
A. Select the correct option for each of the following:
1. Xanthium seeds are mainly dispersed by:
(i) air (ii) animals (iii) water
2. Lotus seeds are generally dispersed by:
(i) water (ii) man (iii) wind
3. Which of the following plants grow from spores?
(i) Mushroom (ii) Rose (iii) Bryophyllum
4. Which of the following helps to loosen the soil?
(i) Manuring (ii) Ploughing (iii) Harvesting
B. Circle the odd one:
1. Fern Mushroom Ginger
2. Balsam Coconut Lotus
3. Apple seed Cotton seed Mango seed
C. Answer the following questions:
1. Which parts of the plants can be used to grow new plants?
2. How does water disperse the seeds?
3. Why do we spray insecticides on crops?
4. Name two plants that grow from their underground stems.
5. Name two plants that grow from their stems.
6. Which parts of a seed contain food for the baby plant?
D. Fill in the blanks:
1. ____________ are called our green friends. (Plants/Seeds)
2. ____________ store food for the baby plant. (Stems/Cotyledons)
3. Dispersal of balsam seeds take place by ____________. (water/explosion)
4. ____________ helps to add nutrients in the soil. (Irrigation/Manuring)
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 E. Identify the pictures and write their names in the blanks provided:

F. Match the following:

1. Kharif crop (a) Seedling
2. Rabi crop (b) Coconut
3. Seed dispersed by explosion (c) Rice
4. Baby plant (d) Pea
5. Seed dispersed by water (e) Wheat
G. Answer the following questions in your own words:
1. Name the two parts of a seed.
2. Name two seeds that are dispersed by animals.
3. What is meant by the dispersal of seeds?
4. What are cotyledons?
5. Name two seeds each having:
(a) one cotyledon (b) two cotyledons
6. How do animals and human beings help in the dispersal of seeds?

Activity Time
Initiative & Self-Direction
A. Take a potato. Insert four toothpicks through the potato on all its sides. Balance it over
a glass filled with water. After a few days, the eyes in the potato will grow into new buds.
Remove the potato and cut into small pieces. Plant a piece having a bud in a pot and
watch it. Record your observations carefully.
B. Collect seeds and fruits having hair, wings, hooks and spines. Keep them in cotton
wool in a cardboard box.
C. Discuss the following topic in groups in the classroom: The different methods of
growing new plants.
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D. How to build a Terrarium? Creativity
You must have seen beautiful fish swimming merrily
in aquariums. A terrarium is like an aquarium but for
plants instead of fish. It is made in just about any glass Plants
container.
For any terrarium, you need—A glass container, like a Potting
cookie jar, pickle jar, etc. (make sure your glass Soil
container is clean and shiny.); Small pebbles or rocks; Charcoal
Activated charcoal; Potting Soil; Small plants of Rocks
different colours, shapes and textures.
Start with a layer of rocks, about one inch or so, at the bottom of your container. These
will help with the soil drainage, so the roots of your plants won’t get water-logged. Add
a ½ inch thick layer of charcoal. Fill half of the container with potting soil.
Plant your saplings. When you remove them from their little pots, carefully tease the
roots apart and remove some of the old soil so they will fit nicely in the terrarium.
Arrange them to look nice. Leave some space between plants for them to grow.
Add decorative pebbles, rocks or any other item to make your terrarium look like a little
garden world. Water the plants, but not too much. Place it in indirect light.

NCF C-6.1 Social & Cross-Cultural Interaction

Let Us Visit
During your summer vacation, visit a nearby village with your parents to see different
crops grown by the farmers. Note down the names of major crops grown in that village.
Later on, visit the same village during your winter vacation. Do you see the same crops this
time also? If not, why? Talk to the farmers to know the reason.

Subject Link : Social Studies

Names of a few Indian states are given below. Take the help of your parents to write the
names of three major crops grown in each of these state.
1. Karnataka
2. Bihar
3. West Bengal
4. Punjab
5. Chhattisgarh
6. Telangana

FOOTNOTE
The teacher should state the importance of plants in our lives. He/She should also tell the students that we must look after
the plants in our surroundings and do our best to conserve them.
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