Germination occurs when the embryo inside of a seed absorbs water, starting the first step, imbibition (seed swells and softens). In a brief period, a radicle emerges through the seed coat and shows one of the first visible signs of germination (Scope Curriculum, 2018). For germination to begin however, several factors must be met. These essential factors are water, oxygen, ideal substrate, light and temperature (Jo, 2015). A seed will not germinate if not all the factors are met. However, in some cases, seed dormancy occurs even in optimal conditions for germination. This is a very challenging and frustrating problem for agricultural produces as their crops are on the line. A reason why seed dormancy occurs is that in nature, staggered germination keeps some seedlings safe from any possible bursts of severe weather or herbivores (Lee Stivers, n.d.). Another reason may be due to physical or chemical dormancy. Some physical dormancy issues may be that a seed is unable to germinate due to a hard or thick seed coat. Some chemical dormancy factors may be internal chemical or metabolic conditions such as the presence of certain plant hormones like abscisic acid (inhibits germination) and gibberellin (ends seed dormancy) (Lee Stivers, n.d.). Some seed coats membranes can even form a barrier that may be permeable to water, but not oxygen (Lee Stivers, n.d.). This is detrimental for the seed as one of the factors are not being
Germination occurs when the embryo inside of a seed absorbs water, starting the first step, imbibition (seed swells and softens). In a brief period, a radicle emerges through the seed coat and shows one of the first visible signs of germination (Scope Curriculum, 2018). For germination to begin however, several factors must be met. These essential factors are water, oxygen, ideal substrate, light and temperature (Jo, 2015). A seed will not germinate if not all the factors are met. However, in some cases, seed dormancy occurs even in optimal conditions for germination. This is a very challenging and frustrating problem for agricultural produces as their crops are on the line. A reason why seed dormancy occurs is that in nature, staggered germination keeps some seedlings safe from any possible bursts of severe weather or herbivores (Lee Stivers, n.d.). Another reason may be due to physical or chemical dormancy. Some physical dormancy issues may be that a seed is unable to germinate due to a hard or thick seed coat. Some chemical dormancy factors may be internal chemical or metabolic conditions such as the presence of certain plant hormones like abscisic acid (inhibits germination) and gibberellin (ends seed dormancy) (Lee Stivers, n.d.). Some seed coats membranes can even form a barrier that may be permeable to water, but not oxygen (Lee Stivers, n.d.). This is detrimental for the seed as one of the factors are not being