Seed germination

• Seed tech: morphological change of seed that result

in protrusion of radicle
• Crop grower: seedling emergence from the soil
• Others: sequence of steps that begins with imbibition
and leads to rupture of seed coat by radicle
• Technically: the resumption of active growth where
seed coat is ruptured by emergence of radicle and
shoot
. Initially seed is dry (5 – 15% moisture)
. Cytoplasm has organelles (mitochondria, dictysomes,
endoplasmic reticulum)
 Germination ….
. Large food reserves compresses other structures
. Metabolic processes stimulated in 2 – 24 hrs
 Germination Steps
• Imbibition and absorption of water
• Hydration of tissues
• Oxygen taken by organelles
• Enzymes activation
• Transportation of hydrolyzed molecules to
embryo axis
• Increase in respiration and assimilation for
embryo
• Initiation of growth (division & enlargement)
• Radicle ruptures seed coat (later the shoot)
 Role of Growth Regulators or Phytochrome

• Gibberellins activate enzymes for digestion eg.

Beta & alpha amylase for starch, lipase hydrolyze
fats
• Cytokinins – cell division/cell enlargement
(colerhiza cells)
• Auxins promote growth. Control positioning of
root/shoot
 Seedling Emergence
• Seed germination, seedling emergence
and crop establishment are affected by:
• Seedbed preparation
• Type and variety of crop
• Method of sowing (seed placement)
 Seedling Emergence

• Soil moisture
• Temperature
The quicker the emergence the better
for overall plant stand
 Seedling emergence ….
• Seeds absorb water at different rates
hence differences in germination and
seedling emergence
 The Type of Emergence
• Hypogeal emergence refers to where
epicotyl and cotyledons remain below the
soil surface
• Epigeal emergence is where the hypocotyl
elongate and raises the cotyledons above
the ground
Note the following:
Depth of planting can make a difference
between poor stand and good stand
 The Type of Emergence
The smaller the seed, the shallower it
has to be planted
Seedlings will emerge from greater
depth in sandy soils than in clay soil
(heavy vs light)
Capping or crusting results in poor
emergence of seedlings except in cereals
(increase seedling rate)