Seed Germination Process

Life begins from the seed for all plants alike. To reproduce itself and evolve with time is what a seed offers to the eco-system, and many trees, plants and flowers bear witness to this fact. A seed is basically a kernel that encloses in itself a small embryonic plant covered by a hard seed coat and some stored food that upon receiving the appropriate climatic conditions, will promote growth. The seed is the ripened ovule, (egg) fertilized product of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. This is the end product of the pollination process in which the embryo develops from the zygote, and the seed coat from the outer covering of the ovule. The ability to consistently and successfully reproduce itself makes trees and plants that use their seeds for propagating themselves have a higher survival rate, than the ones who rely on cuttings, runners, shoots or rhizomes. Let us understand this amazing ability by reading through the germination process.

Process of Seed Germination
The seed contains an immature plant (embryo) that resembles an adult plant, complete with leaves and a root. The seed's leaves are called the cotyledons, seeds that contain one embryonic leaf are known as monocotyledonous or monocots, whereas seeds with two embryonic leaves are termed as dicotyledonous or dicots. The food found in the seed which nourishes the embryonic seedling during its early stages of development, is known as endosperm.

There are certain basics of seed germination. For a seed to germinate successfully, firstly, the right conditions are required. Although, most seeds will germinate under different conditions, the plants or trees will not come true, as it's the quality of the seed that matters, not its age. Lotus seeds as old as 2000 years have germinated, as the quality of their embryo was preserved. Moisture or water is needed by the dried seeds to resume their cellular metabolism and growth. Moisture, combined with warmth, triggers growth, which is probably the reason why sown seeds should be kept in a warm place. Warmth increases humidity, which ensures enough moisture to the seeds. The size of the seed and the depth it is sowed in determines how quick it will sprout through the soil. The larger the seed, more the energy stored in it, and vice-versa. This is the reason why large seeds are sowed more deeper in comparison to smaller seeds. Soil matters as the seed takes its oxygen from its pores, and the right temperature will accelerate its growth. Whether a seed needs light, full or partial, or darkness to sprout depends upon its individual physiological need. The dormancy level of the seeds also determines the time it will take to germinate. Another way to germinate seeds is by growing seeds without soil.

Germination of Seeds
Once the conditions have been satisfied for the process of seed germination, it is just a matter of time that they turn into a seedling. Some seeds, especially the ones with hard coats like the sunflower, morning glory, dates, acorn, corn, etc. need a couple of hours pre-soaking to speed up the germination of seeds.

After the seeds are sowed, and the soil misted with water, it (water) gets absorbed by the seeds through its coat, and provides moisture to the embryo nestled in it. This activates enzymes that help in duplication of plant cells, and also gets them to use the energy or food stored in the seed to start nourishing the embryonic plant. With all the nourishment, the embryo becomes too large, and bursts open through the seed coat, in search of light to start its process of photosynthesis, and thus, the growing plant emerges. During the same time, even the roots sprout and head down in search of more food from the soil. Both the root and plant shoot move downwards and upwards, simultaneously and respectively. In no time then, you will see the seedling force its way through the soil.

Seed germination process is amazing to watch and understand, the way it reproduces and ensures its species survival. So go ahead and sow a few seeds, and watch how life sprouts from the soil.