Germination

Germination is the process of a plant emerging from a seed, and beginning growth.

there are some requirements for germination:

• water
• gases
• temperature

   Water is needed because it is the essential element for enzyme activation, allows break down of storage reserves, and corn needs 30% moisture to germinate according to the critical moisture content concept.

   In order for a plant to germinate, it needs air/ gasses. Oxygen is the most important because it is used for respiration.

   Different seeds have different temperatures at which they can germinate in.

Imbibition is when water enters the seed through the radical(pointy, lower part of embryo; where root forms.) The water softens the tissue inside of the seed and makes the seed swell up. The seed coat then splits open and lets water in more quickly and allows enzyme activation. The first root can then protrude and growth is activated. At this point, more ATP is produced, thus more respiration and growth. Once an obvious primary root grows germination is done, and the plant is then reffered to as a seedling.