SEED GERMINATION

5/7/2020
MANEESHA MOHANAN
INTRODUCTION
Germination is defined as the
emergence and development from the
seed embryo of those essential
structures. It is the process by which
an organism grows from seed or
similar structure. Germination is
usually the growth of a plant
contained within a seed. It occurs
when a spore or seed starts to grow.
When a spore or seed germinates, it
produces a shoot or seedling or hypa.
Seeds contains an embryo, a store of food (endosperm) and protective coat. Seed plants
gymnosperms We all know that plant require water, carbon dioxide as well as sunlight as a
source of “Adenosine Triphosphate” energy (ATP energy) to power chlorophylls and allow
photosynthesis to take place. However in some condition where plants are located in a
location where it is not provided with sufficient sunlight, it will grow and adapt by growing
its stem or branches until it gets it right position to receive the right and sufficient amount of
sunlight. This response is known as “Phototropism”.

Process of Seed Germination:

At some point in the life cycle of annual plants or the seasonal cycle of perennials, the
balance of physiological processes shifts from growth to reproduction. Certain cells within
the male and female organs undergo meiosis and produce male and female gametes with a
reduced chromosome number, i.e., one chromosome from each pair. The stamen which is
the male organ produces pollen grains which carry the sperm or male nuclei. The pistil or
female organ consists of an ovary, style and stigma.

The process of seed germination includes the five steps .i.e.:

 Imbibitions:

The first step in the seed germination is imbibition i.e. absorption of water by the dry seed.
Imbibition results in swelling of the seed as the cellular constituents get rehydrated.
  Respirations:

Imbibition of water causes the resumption of metabolic activity in the rehydrated seed.
Initially their respiration may be anaerobic but it soon becomes aerobic as oxygen begins
entering the seed.

 Effects of light:

Plants vary greatly in response to light with respect to seed germination. The seeds which
respond to light for their germination are named as photoblastic. Phytochrome is a
regulatory pigment which controls many light-dependent development processes in
plants besides germination in light- sensitive seeds. These include photo-morphogenesis.

 Mobilization of reserves and growth regulators:

During germination the cells of the embryo resume metabolic activity and undergo
division and expansion. Stored starch, protein or fats need to be digested. These cellular
conversions take place by making use of energy provided by aerobic respiration.
Depending upon the nature of the seed, the food reserves may be stored chiefly in the
endosperm or in the cotyledons. insoluble food is rendered soluble and complex food is
made simple. These simpler food solutions, comprising of sugars and amino acids thus
formed, are diluted by water and passed towards the growing epicotyl, hypocotyl, radicle
and plumule through the cotyledon.

 Development of embryo axis:

After the translocation of food and its subsequent assimilation, the cells of the
embryo in the growing regions become metabolically very active. The cells grow in
size and begin divisions to form the seedling.

In general, germination process can be distinguished into three phases: phase I, rapid water
imbibition by seed; phase II, reactivation of metabolism; and phase III, radicle protrusion.

Practical Research:
Germination is when a seed starts to sprout. A seed needs oxygen, water, certain
temperature and energy to germinate.
Hypothesis:

Seedling will grow properly according to their

required temperature and soaking depending on the
type of seed and seeds germinate faster according to
its size

Requirements:

 Fresh seeds of your choice such as soya

seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat, sweet
corn.
 Good quality soil .
 Plates to hold the soil and your seeds.
 Water.
 Light and heat.

Procedure:

 Fill the container with soil.

 Placed six of each seed type in 50ml of
water to soak for 24 hours
 Prepared twelve dishes by cutting circles of
blotter paper and placing in bottom of dish.
 Soaked the blotter paper in each plated
with 3Ml of water.
 Placed the soaked seeds in six of the plates.
 Placed six non soaked seeds in the remaining six plates.
 Placed all twelve plates on a tray and placed beside window
 Place the container somewhere warm, sunlight is good but try to avoid too
much direct sunlight, a window sill is a good spot.
 Keep the soil moist by watering it every day .
 Record your observations as the seeds germinate and seedlings begin to sprout
from the seeds.

Observation:

Germination is the process of a plant emerging from a seed and beginning to grow. For
seedlings to grow properly from a seed they need the right conditions. Water and oxygen are
required for seeds to germinate. Many seeds germinate at a temperature just above normal
room temperature but others respond better to warmer temperatures, cooler temperatures
or even changes in temperature. While light can be an important trigger for germination,
some seeds actually need darkness to germinate.

Result:

During both of the tests, the results were always the same. The soaked wheat seeds
germinated first. They were followed by the sweet corn, and soy beans in that order. The
non- soaked wheat and field corn eventually germinated but not as quickly as the soaked.