In agricultural terminology, seed refers to any propagative material placed in the ground to grow a crop, regardless of its strict botanical classification. While it includes true fertilized ovules like corn kernels or wheat grains, farmers also use the term for vegetative units like seed potatoes, garlic cloves, or onion sets. The quality, purity, and germination rate of the seed dictate the potential success of the entire harvest.
Heard on the job
The truck just dropped off three pallets of seed potatoes for the north field.