Germination of Seeds

Germination is the process by which a plant grows from a seed. It is the beginning of the plant's life cycle and is essential for the continuation of the species. When a seed germinates, it begins to grow and develop into a seedling, which eventually becomes a mature plant.

Process of Germination

The process of germination involves several stages:

1. Water absorption: The first step in germination is the absorption of water by the seed. This process is called imbibition and it causes the seed to swell and become soft.

2. Activation of enzymes: As the seed absorbs water, enzymes in the seed are activated. These enzymes break down the stored food in the seed and convert it into a form that can be used by the growing plant.

3. Emergence of the radicle: The radicle is the first part of the plant to emerge from the seed. It is the embryonic root of the plant and it begins to grow downwards into the soil.

4. Emergence of the shoot: After the radicle has emerged, the shoot begins to grow upwards towards the light. The shoot contains the embryonic stem and leaves of the plant.

5. Development of the seedling: As the shoot and radicle continue to grow, the seedling develops. The cotyledons (seed leaves) provide the initial source of food for the growing plant until it can produce its own food through photosynthesis.

Importance of Germination

Germination is important because it allows plants to reproduce and grow. Without germination, there would be no new plants and no continuation of plant species. Germination also allows plants to adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as drought or flooding. When conditions are favorable, seeds can remain dormant for years until they are ready to germinate and grow into new plants.

The process of a seed growing into a seedling(baby plant) is called germmination