Seeds: Germination Is When A Seed Embryo Goes From A Dormant

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Seeds

A seed contains all of the genetic information needed to


develop into an entire plant. It is made up of three parts
(Figure 22):
 The embryo is a miniature plant in an arrested state
of development. It will begin to grow when conditions are
favorable.
 The endosperm (and in some species the cotyledons)
is a built-in food supply (although orchids are an
exception), which can be made up of proteins,
carbohydrates or fats.
 The seed coat, a hard outer covering, protects the
seed from disease and insects. It also prevents water from
entering the seed and initiating germination before the
proper time.

Germination
Germination is when a seed embryo goes from a dormant
state to an active, growing state (Figure 23). Before any
visual signs of germination appear, the seed must absorb
water through its seed coat. It also must have enough
oxygen and a favorable temperature. Some species, such
as celery, also require light. Others require darkness.
If these requirements are met, the radicle is the first part
of the seedling to emerge from the seed. It develops into
the primary root and grows downward in response to
gravity. From this primary root, root hairs and lateral roots
develop. Between the radicle and the first leaflike structure
is the hypocotyl, which grows upward in response to light.
Because seeds are reproductive structures and thus important to a species' survival,
plants have evolved many mechanisms to ensure their survival.

The seed leaves, or cotyledons, encase the embryo. They


usually are shaped differently than the leaves the mature
plant will produce. Monocots produce one cotyledon, while
dicots produce two.
Because seeds are reproductive structures and thus
important to a species' survival, plants have evolved many
mechanisms to ensure their survival. One such mechanism
is seed dormancy. Dormancy comes in two forms: seed
coat dormancy and embryo dormancy.
In seed coat dormancy, a hard seed coat does not allow
water to penetrate. Redbud, locust and many other
ornamental trees and shrubs exhibit this type of dormancy.
A process called scarification is used to break or soften
the seed coat. In nature, scarification is accomplished by
means such as the heat of a forest fire, digestion of the
seed by a bird or mammal, or partial breakdown of the
seed coat by fungi or insects. It can be done mechanically
by nicking the seed coat with a file, or chemically by
softening the seed coat with sulfuric acid. In either
instance, it is important to not damage the embryo.
Embryo dormancy is common in ornamental plants,
including elm and witch hazel. These seeds must go
through a chilling period before germinating. To break this
type of dormancy, stratification is used. This process
involves storing seeds in a moist medium (potting soil or
paper towels) at temperatures between 32°F and 50°F.
The length of time required varies by species.
Even when environmental requirements for seed
germination are met and dormancy is broken, other factors
also affect germination:
 The seed's age greatly affects its viability (ability to
germinate). Older seed generally is less viable than young
seed, and if it does germinate, the seedlings are less
vigorous and grow more slowly.
 The seedbed must be properly prepared and made up
of loose, fine-textured soil.
 Seeds must be planted at the proper depth. If they are
too shallow, they may wash away with rain or watering; if
too deep, they won't be able to push through the soil.
 Seeds must have a continual supply of moisture;
however, if over-watered, they will rot.
Many weed seeds are able to germinate quickly and under
less than optimal conditions. This is one reason they make
such formidable opponents in the garden.

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