2.2.2. Structure of seed

   2.2.2. Structure of a seed

 

  Rice seed  mainly consists of brown rice(  ), botanically fruit, with hull which is hard cover to protect the seed.  Rice hull is composed substantially of lemma(  ) and palea(  ). The lemma is larger than the palea. Two- third of  total surface of a rice grain is covered by the lemma. Both lemma and palea are boat-shaped and have pointed ends. The tip of lemma sometimes grows long into a awn. The two edges of lemma enclose the edges of palea from the outside. So lemma and palea do not separate easily. Both lemma and palea are inserted on a rachilla(  ). There are two glumes. Upper glume(  ) is located on the side of the palea. Lower glume(  ) is located on the side of the lamma. Rudimentary glume(  ) is lower part of rachilla. Brown rice consists of endosperm and embryo. Endosperm is food needed for seed germination and embryo develops into the shoot and roots.