Central Bicol State University of Agriculture

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Department of Plant Science

SEED GERMINATION
AND SEED DORMANCY

LIZA LYN A. VILLANO

Instructor
SEED GERMINATION
• Is the sequential series of morphologic events that
results in the transformation of an embryo to a
seedling with all the primary structure
• may be defined as the series of event which takes
place when dry quiescent seed imbibe water resulting
in an increase metabolic activity and initiation of a
seedling from embryo
For germination to occur, a seed
requires a combination of:
• Seed must be viable- the seed
must be alive and capable of
germination
• Appropriate environmental
condition such as available
water, proper temperature,
oxygen and in some cases light
must be supplied
• Primary dormancy in seed
must be overcome
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR
NECESSARY FOR SEED GERMINATION
 Sufficient water supply
 Favorable temperature
 Proper oxygen level
 Sometimes light
Types of germination
1. EPIGEAL GERMINATION
cotyledon comes above the ground. The first
structure to emerge is the hypocotyl and the cotyledons
are pulled out of the ground as protective mechanism.
..Types of germination
2. Hypogeal germination- cotyledons remain
underground and disintegrates after exhaustion of
the food reserve.
SEED DORMANCY
• Seed dormancy is defined as a state in which seeds
are prevented from germinating even under
environmental conditions normally favorable for
germination. These conditions are a complex
combination of water, light, temperature, gasses,
mechanical restrictions, seed coats, and hormone
structures.
 CATEGORIES OF DORMANCY
1. PRIMARY DORMANCY- a condition that is present
when a viable seed does not germinate under
favorable condition.

2. SECONDARY DORMANCY- a safety mechanism for the

seed by preventing germination of an imbibed seed if
other environmental conditions are not favorable
Conditions which promotes secondary seed
dormancy include unfavorably high or low
temperatures, prolonged darkness(skotodormancy)
prolong white light (photodormancy), water stress
and anoxia
TYPES OF PRIMARY
1. PRIMARY DORMANCY- a condition that is present
when a viable seed does not germinate under
favorable condition.
A. Physical Dormancy
B. Mechanical Dormancy
C. Morphological Dormancy ( Rudimentary
Embryo or Underdeveloped Embryo)
D. Chemical
E. Double dormancy
Methods on Breaking Seed
Dormancy
1. Scarification- is a treatment that removes or
abrades the seed coat, allowing water uptake into
the seed and promoting germination.
Methods on Breaking Seed
Dormancy
2. Stratification- is the exposure of the imbibed seed
to low or warm temperature
SEED AND SEEDLING
VIGOR
SEED VIGOR
• It is the properties that
determine the potential
rapid , uniform
emergence and
development of normal
seedlings under a wide
range of field conditions
• Activity and performance
of the seeds during
germination and seedling
emergence
SEED VIGOR
Seeds low in vigor generally produces weak seedlings
that are susceptible to environmental stresses

Seeds with high level of vigor provides early and

uniform stands which give the growing seedlings the
competitive advantage against various environmental
stresses
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SEED
VIGOR
• Genetic constitution
• Seed Maturity
• Time of Harvest
• Environment during seed germination
• Microorganisms
• Seed Size and Density
EFFECTS OF PRE-SOAKING ON
GERMINATION
1. Soaked seeds in the minimum amount of water
and afterward slowly dried at ordinary
temperature imbibe water and develop more
quickly when allowed to take up water and
germinate the untreated seeds
2. Seeds that are rapidly dried after initial seed
soaking germinate more slowly than untreated
seeds
3. Seeds swollen in water and sown in moist
condition germinate more quickly than untreated
seeds
ATTRIBUTES OF HIGH SEED VIGOR
• Speed germination
• Uniform germination and plant development
• Ability to emerge under crusted soil condition
• Higher crop yield
• Yield stability
END
SEED QUALITY
CONTROL
• Importance of quality seed
• Ensures genetic and physical purity of the crops
• Gives desired plant population
• Capacity to withstand the adverse conditions
• Seedlings produced will be more vigourous, fast growing
and can resist pest and disease incidence to certain extent
• Ensures uniform growth and maturity
• Development of root system will be more efficient that aids
absorption of nutrients efficiently and result in higher yield.
• It will respond well to added fertilizer and other inputs.
• Good quality seeds of improved varieties ensures higher
yield atleast 10 – 12 %
• Hence the quality seed should have

• High genetic purity

• High pure seed percentage ( physical purity)
• High germinability
• High vigour
• Higher field establishment
• Free from pest and disease
• Good shape, size, colour etc., according to the specification of variety
• High longevity / shelf life.
• Optimum moisture content for storage
• High market value
• Characteristics of good quality seed
• Higher genetically purity:
• Possession of good shape, size, colour, etc.,
according to specifications of variety
• Higher physical soundness and weight
• Higher physiological vigor and stamina
• Higher storage capacity
• Free from other crop seeds ( Expressed in number /kg) - Other crop seeds are
the plants of cultivated crops found in the seed field and whose seed are so
similar to crop seed that is difficult to separate them economically by
mechanical means. Eg. Mixtures of Wheat, oats seeds in barley.
• It should be free from objectionable weed seeds -These are plants of weed
species which are harmful in one or more of the following ways.
• The size and shape of their seeds are so similar to that of the crop seed that is
difficult to remove their seed economically by mechanical means.
• Their growth habit is detrimental to the growing seed crop due to competing
effect.
• Their plant parts are poisonous or injurious to human and animal beings
• They serve as alternate hosts for crop pests and diseases.
• It should be free from designated diseases - It refers to the diseases specified for
the certification of seeds and for which certification standards are to be met
with . These diseases would cause contamination, when they are present in the
seed field or with in the specified isolation distance ( eg. loose smut of wheat).
For this the the certification distance has been prescribed as 180 meters.