When does plant stop using nutrients from seed leaves?

Thread starter dibilo
Start date Dec 5, 2013
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Plant Seed

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Plants exhibit varying behaviors regarding the use of nutrients in seed leaves, known as cotyledons, after developing their first true leaves. In many dicots, such as mammoth sunflower sprouts, the cotyledons are utilized for nutrients early in growth and typically fall off as the plant matures and the stem outgrows them. However, there are exceptions, and some plants may retain their seed leaves for a longer period, continuing to use them for nutrient absorption. The specific behavior depends on the plant species in question.

Dec 5, 2013

dibilo

Do plants stop making use of nutrients in seed leaves once it develop its first leaves and leave them to die?

Thanks in advance.

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Dec 5, 2013

manifespo

Depends on the specific plant. Often in dicots like mammoth sunflower sprouts the two cotyledons (seed leaves) are used up and soon fall off, as the stem outgrows their width. I bet there exists a plant who keeps its seed leaves though.

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