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Seed Germination

  • Chapter
Developmental Biology of Flowering Plants

Abstract

A seed enclosing the mature embryo remains in a state of suspended animation until it germinates to herald the active life of the plant. Suspension of growth of the embryo in the seed may be due to physiological states vaguely referred to as either quiescence or dormancy. Quiescent seeds germinate when they are accorded with appropriate environmental conditions such as water, the normal composition of the atmosphere, and a physiologically favorable temperature, whereas dormant seeds require, in addition, specific environmental, hormonal, mechanical, or other cues to trigger germination. A discussion of breaking dormancy of seeds is postponed to a later chapter, but it is important to note here that the onset of germinative growth, whether it follows a quiescent or a dormant state, involves sweeping structural and biochemical changes in the embryo and in the extraembryonal storage tissues of the seed. Models, with molecular overtones, describing the possible biochemical changes have included the synthesis of enzymes that degrade the nutrient reserves of the seed and function in the general metabolism of the embryo. The recommencement of growth of the embryo of a quiescent or a dormant seed is a fine example of developmental regulation attuned to provide a selective advantage for the survival of the species, because germination occurs only when conditions for seedling growth are most propitious.

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  1. Department of Plant Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210-1293, USA

    V. Raghavan

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© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Raghavan, V. (2000). Seed Germination. In: Developmental Biology of Flowering Plants. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1234-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1234-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7054-6

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