The author discusses the difficulty of sterilizing seeds without killing them, especially those with open micropyles. He suggests that the dormancy of "moist seeds" may be due to the anesthetic effect of carbon dioxide retained by seed coats. However, this theory is limited as it does not apply to seeds with a rest period, those with insufficient pressure to break coats, or those with dormant embryos. The author's assumption about CO₂ permeability through seed coats remains unproven without further study. In South Africa, the vegetation shows remarkable diversity due to varying climates. BEWS's studies highlight this diversity, describing different vegetation types across regions, including sclerophyllous scrub, mesophytic forests, and grasslands. The vegetation transitions from heath and shrublands to more luxuriant grasslands and eventually to the arid Karroo, which is more accurately classified as grassland than desert. Hawkins and others studied the effects of fungi on fruits. Brown-rot fungi affect peach chemistry, reducing total sugars and increasing reducing sugars. Black-rot fungi affect apples, altering carbohydrate composition and increasing acidity. The study emphasizes the complex interactions between fungi and fruit chemistry. The text references the Biodiversity Heritage Library, which provides access to botanical literature. The article discusses the vegetation of South Africa, the effects of fungi on fruits, and the challenges of seed sterilization. It highlights the diversity of plant life in South Africa and the impact of environmental factors on vegetation patterns. The study also notes the importance of understanding seed dormancy mechanisms and the role of fungi in fruit decay.The author discusses the difficulty of sterilizing seeds without killing them, especially those with open micropyles. He suggests that the dormancy of "moist seeds" may be due to the anesthetic effect of carbon dioxide retained by seed coats. However, this theory is limited as it does not apply to seeds with a rest period, those with insufficient pressure to break coats, or those with dormant embryos. The author's assumption about CO₂ permeability through seed coats remains unproven without further study. In South Africa, the vegetation shows remarkable diversity due to varying climates. BEWS's studies highlight this diversity, describing different vegetation types across regions, including sclerophyllous scrub, mesophytic forests, and grasslands. The vegetation transitions from heath and shrublands to more luxuriant grasslands and eventually to the arid Karroo, which is more accurately classified as grassland than desert. Hawkins and others studied the effects of fungi on fruits. Brown-rot fungi affect peach chemistry, reducing total sugars and increasing reducing sugars. Black-rot fungi affect apples, altering carbohydrate composition and increasing acidity. The study emphasizes the complex interactions between fungi and fruit chemistry. The text references the Biodiversity Heritage Library, which provides access to botanical literature. The article discusses the vegetation of South Africa, the effects of fungi on fruits, and the challenges of seed sterilization. It highlights the diversity of plant life in South Africa and the impact of environmental factors on vegetation patterns. The study also notes the importance of understanding seed dormancy mechanisms and the role of fungi in fruit decay.