Conclusion

A seed consists of a baby plant (embryo) and the food material necessary for it to grow. It is possible for
these seeds to grow into new plants when they are dispersed from the parent plant to various locations.
The process of seed germination is known as germination. As well as being essential to plants, seeds play
an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of a large population. Thus, in the field of agriculture,
seed germination or dormancy has a great deal of importance.

Seeds of high quality enhance the quality and quantity of crops. Water, temperature, oxygen, and light
(only for some seeds) are essential for the germination process to take place. It is believed that the
absence of one or more of these factors affects the sprouting of seeds. An embryo’s maturity, seed
viability, and dormancy are also internal factors that influence this process.

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Home » What Is Seed Germination?- Definition, Types, Process & Factors Affecting

What Is Seed Germination?- Definition, Types, Process & Factors Affecting

by adminFebruary 1, 2023

Seed Germination

Seed Germination: Do you ever wonder how plants grow? From where do they originate? In nurseries,
we would often see small plants. What is the source of these small plants? What is the process by which
they are formed? The purpose of this presentation is to provide you with an understanding of how a
seed germinates and then grows into a plant, the process and the different developmental stages of the
seed, and the factors that influence and affect the growth of the seed, which ultimately leads to the
seed growing into a new plant.
For seed germination to be successful, different conditions must be met. Throughout this article, we will
learn about seed germination in addition to its types, experiments to comprehend the process, seed
germination diagram, five stages of seed germination, the temperature required for germination, the
necessary conditions for seed germination to occur, and finally, the external and internal factors that
influence seed germination.

What is Seed Germination?

As a general principle, seed germination can be defined as the process by which different plant species
develop from a single seed into a mature plant. The quality and yield of the crop are both affected by
this process.

Seed Germination

Seed Germination

Sprouting of a seedling from an angiosperm or gymnosperm seed is an example of seed germination.

Different Types Of Seed Germination

There are two types of seed germination based on the fate of the cotyledons:

Epigeal Germination

Hypogeal Germination

Epigeal Germination

The cotyledon is pushed out of the soil during epigeal.

Epigeal Germination

Epigeal Germination
As a result of the rapid growth and elongation of the hypocotyl, this occurs. E.g., castor and bean.

Hypogeal Germination

Because the epicotyl extends rapidly during hypogeal germination, the cotyledons remain below the soil
surface.

Hypogeal Germination

Hypogeal Germination

It is most commonly found in monocotyledonous seeds.

E.g. Maize.

Viviparous Germination

There is a special type of germination that occurs in some mangrove plants, such as Rhizophora and
Sonneratia. This type of seed germinates within the fruit while it is still attached to the parent plant.
Upon germination, the seedling is dropped into the soil, where it develops roots and establishes itself.
The term viviparous refers to the process of producing live young.

The Process Of Seed Germination

In order to understand the process of germination, the following five stages must be considered:

Process Of Seed Germination

Process Of Seed Germination

Imbibition
During this process, dry seeds absorb water from the surrounding environment. As a result of imbibition,
seeds swell. As a result of water absorption, the seed coat ruptures.

Respiration

As a result of the ingestion of water, the seed begins to undergo metabolic activity. When seeds are
initially supplied with energy by glycolysis, they undergo anaerobic respiration; when oxygen is
introduced, they undergo aerobic respiration.

The air present in the soil provides oxygen to plants that grow on land. It is for this reason that we plow
and loosen the soil before sowing them. Water plants use oxygen dissolved in the water to grow their
seeds.

Germination Of Seeds And The Effect Of Light

Depending on how they respond to light for germination, plants are classified as photoelastic or non-
photoelastic. The germinating process of non-photoelastic plants is independent of the presence of
light.

Seeds that are positively photoelastic require exposure to light in order to germinate, while seeds that
are negatively photoelastic require darkness to germinate.

Food Reserves Are Mobilized During Seed Germination

Seed cotyledons store food for the embryo. In the embryo, starch, fats, and proteins stored in the
endosperm are digested during germination to provide energy for metabolic activities and multiple cell
divisions.

Amylases, proteases, and other enzymes are released during this process in order to break down
complex food material into a form that can be utilized by the embryo. It is through water that these
soluble food materials are transported to growing parts of the seed, primarily the radicle and plumule.

The Development Of The Embryonic Axis Into A Seedling

Following the translocation of food materials, the embryo multiplies rapidly, resulting in the rapid
growth of the seed into a seedling. It is the radicle of the seed that grows first in order to form the root,
which penetrates deep into the soil and begins to absorb water and minerals. Afterward, the plumule
grows upward to form the shoot.

The shoot develops green leaves when it grows above ground. The green leaves of shoots begin to
synthesize their food when sunlight is present (photosynthesis).

The Conditions Necessary For The Germination Of Seeds

The following are some essential requirements for a seed to germinate and become a plant.

Water

It is extremely important for the germination of seeds. It is important to note that some seeds are
extremely dry and require a considerable amount of water in relation to their dry weight. In the process
of seed germination, water plays an important role.

As a result, it provides necessary hydration for the vital activities of protoplasm, provides dissolved
oxygen to the growing embryo, softens the seed coats, and increases the permeability of the seeds. In
addition, it facilitates the rupturing of seeds and converts insoluble food into a soluble form so that it
can be translocated into the embryo.

Oxygen

It is an important and essential source of energy for the growth of seeds. The germinating seed uses it
for metabolism and aerobic respiration until it is able to produce its own leaves.

In soil particles, oxygen is present in the pores, but if the seeds are buried too deep, they will be
deprived of this oxygen.

Temperature

In order for a seed to germinate, it requires a moderate temperature of around 25-30°C.

There is no doubt that different seeds require different optimum temperatures. Certain seeds require
special conditions, such as low or high temperatures between 5 and 40°C.

Light Or Darkness

As a result, this may act as an environmental trigger. The seeds of many plants do not germinate until
they are exposed to sunlight.

In the above-mentioned favorable conditions, seed germination occurs. A rapid expansion and growth of
the embryo occur in the seeds followed by a rupture of the covering layers and the emergence of the
radicle. Germination is considered complete after the radicle emerges.

Factors Affecting Seed Germination

The germination of seeds is affected by a number of factors. The following are among them:

External Factors

Water: Lack of water or extra water affects seed germination.

Temperature: A seed’s growth rate and metabolism are affected by this.

Oxygen: As seeds germinate, they breathe heavily and release energy. As a result, oxygen deficiency
affects seed germination.

There are instances in which a temperature below the moderate level inhibits seed germination and
promotes the growth of fungi. Occasionally, germination is halted at a temperature above moderate.

Internal Factors

Seed Dormancy

Even under favorable conditions, seeds are prevented from germinating in this condition.
During seed dormancy:

Water and oxygen exchange are restricted by the seed coat, which is resistant to moisture and gases.

Embryos that are not fully developed or immature will not germinate.

There are certain seeds that contain plant growth regulators that inhibit seed germination.

There are some seeds that require more time to germinate.

Conclusion

A seed consists of a baby plant (embryo) and the food material necessary for it to grow. It is possible for
these seeds to grow into new plants when they are dispersed from the parent plant to various locations.
The process of seed germination is known as germination. As well as being essential to plants, seeds play
an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of a large population. Thus, in the field of agriculture,
seed germination or dormancy has a great deal of importance.

Seeds of high quality enhance the quality and quantity of crops. Water, temperature, oxygen, and light
(only for some seeds) are essential for the germination process to take place. It is believed that the
absence of one or more of these factors affects the sprouting of seeds. An embryo’s maturity, seed
viability, and dormancy are also internal factors that influence this process.