A seed is an important part of a flowering plant, as it gives rise to a new plant and is also essential in the life cycle of flowering plants. Some of the seeds are also used as food.
What is a seed?
A seed can be defined as a tiny, embryonic plant, enclosed in a protective layer called the seed coat, which usually with some stored food. The main parts of a seed are the seed coat, endosperm and an embryo.
Explore more: Parts of a seed
What is a radicle?
Radicle is a small embryonic root of the plant. It is a part of the seedling, which rises first from the seed during the process of seed germination.
What is plumule?
Plumule is the part of the seed embryo that grows into a shoot after the process of seed germination. It is a small portion of the plant, with a bud-like structure, giving rise to the first true leaves and is grown into shoot plant giving rise to several leaves, branches, flowers, and seeds.
Also Read: Formation of seeds
Radicle and Plumule – Differences
| It is the embryonic root of the plant. | It is the embryonic shoot of the plant. |
| It grows downwards into the soil. | It grows upwards into the air. |
| It is whitish in colour. | It is less whitish in colour. |
| It is the first part of the seedling. | It grows after the radicle. |
| It develops into the root. | It develops into the shoot. |
| It is negatively phototrophic. | It is positively phototrophic. |
| It is positively geotropic. | It is negatively geotropic. |
| It is positively hydrotropic. | It is negatively hydrotropic. |
| It absorbs water and minerals from the soil. It also fix the plant rigidly into the soil. | It produces food by the process of photosynthesis. It is the visible part of plant that produces leaves, branches, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds. |
Also Refer- Difference between an embryo and a seed.
There are many more differences between radicle and plumule. Stay tuned with BYJU’S Biology for more differences and other Biology related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions on Differences Between Radicle and Plumule
What is a radicle?
Radicle is a small embryonic root of the plant. It is a part of the seedling, which rises first from the seed during the process of seed germination. It develops into a root system.
What are the tropic movements of radicle?
It is negatively phototrophic, positively geotropic and positively hydrotropic.
What are the tropic movements of plumule?
It is positively phototrophic, negatively geotropic and negatively hydrotropic.
