title: Variability in seeds: biological, ecological, and agricultural implications.
abstract: Variability is observed in biology across multiple scales, ranging from populations, individuals, and cells to the molecular components within cells. This review explores the sources and roles of this variability across these scales, focusing on seeds. From a biological perspective, the role and the impact this variability has on seed behaviour and adaptation to the environment is discussed. The consequences of seed variability on agricultural production systems, which demand uniformity, are also examined. We suggest that by understanding the basis and underlying mechanisms of variability in seeds, strategies to increase seed population uniformity can be developed, leading to enhanced agricultural production across variable climatic conditions.
authors: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Mitchell
authors: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: Iain G
authors: IG
authors: Johnston
authors: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors: George W
authors: GW
authors: Bassel
mesh_terms: D000069599:Crop Production; D004463:Ecology; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Dormancy; germination; noise; population; seeds; variability.