Long-term contributions from pre-formed leaves in cycad seeds

The most vulnerable phase of a plant's life is the short time period that follows germination. During this phase, the newly emerged seedling relies on the maternal parent to provision the food that is required for initial growth. A recent study from the Plant Physiology Laboratory at the University of Guam has determined that cycad seeds offer a unique approach for boosting seedling performance, and the results have been published in the January issue of the journal HortScience.