Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Artificial seeds, or synthetic seeds, are encapsulated vegetative structures produced in vitro that can be handled and sown in a manner similar to natural seeds to produce complete plants.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The encapsulation process mimics the structure of a natural seed. It consists of:
1. The Propagule (analogous to the zygotic embryo): This is typically a somatic embryo (derived through somatic embryogenesis) or a vegetative meristematic tissue like a shoot bud or nodal segment.
2. The Gel Matrix (analogous to the endosperm/seed coat): A protective, nutrient-rich hydrogel, most commonly sodium alginate, complexed with calcium chloride to form a semi-solid bead. This gel contains nutrients, growth regulators, and antimicrobials to support early development.
Zygotic embryos are part of natural seeds and are not used to make artificial seeds. Unfertilized ovules do not readily regenerate into complete plants, and whole plantlets are too large and fragile for this type of encapsulation.
Therefore, artificial seeds are produced by enclosing somatic embryos or shoot buds in a protective gel matrix.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, an artificial seed consists of gel enclosing a shoot bud or somatic embryo.