DENDROLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The outer covering of a seed is called the seed coat. Seed coats help protect the embryo from injury and also from drying out. Seed coats can be thin and soft as in beans or thick and hard as in locust or coconut seeds.

Detailed explanation-2: -A hard seed coat protects the seed not only from mechanical stress but also from microorganism invasion and from temperature and humidity fluctuations during storage. Phenolic compounds in the seed coat contribute to seed hardness and inhibition of microorganism growth.

Detailed explanation-3: -Beans and okra may have hard seeds, or seeds that do not easily absorb water due to an impermeable seed coat. Hard seed germination often occurs late and erratically.