Question

The recent record of 2000 years old viable seed is of
A. Bamboo
B. Areca palm
C. Coconut
D. Date palm

Answer 1

Hint: A viable seed is one which is capable of germination under suitable conditions.
Dormancy must be broken before viability can be measured by germination.

Complete answer: Scientists in Israel have confirmed recently that an ancient date palm seed retrieved from the rubble of Masada and successfully germinated is about 2,000 years old.
It is the oldest seed ever to sprout.
The seed is a mature fertilized ovule of angiosperms and gymnosperms that contains an embryo and the food it will need to grow into a new plant.
Seeds provide a great reproductive advantage in being able to survive for extended periods until conditions are favorable for germination and growth.
Seed function to nourish the embryo, dispersal to a new location, and dormancy during unfavorable conditions. The seed has high nutritional value and most of them that we consume are peas, flaxseed, Chia seeds, kidney- beans, etc.

So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Note: This viable date palm seed beat the previous well-documented record holder, a lotus found in a dry lakebed in China, by about 700 years. A variety of factors can affect seed viability such as the ability of the plant to produce viable seeds, predator and pathogen damage, and environmental conditions like flooding or heat. The age of the seed also affects its health and germination ability but most of the seeds can be saved for many years if kept in a suitable environment.