Itämistä

Itämistä is a Finnish term used in botany to describe the germination process—when a seed begins to grow and develop into a seedling. It denotes the transition from a dormant seed to an actively growing plant.

The process typically includes stages such as imbibition (water uptake), activation of metabolism, hydrolysis of stored nutrients, emergence of the radicle (the first root) and the plumule (the shoot). Germination ends when the seedling can carry out photosynthesis independently.

Germination is influenced by factors like temperature, moisture, oxygen availability, and light in some species. Seeds may have dormancy that must be overcome by stratification (cold treatment), scarification (physical or chemical scar), or other cues (light/dark cycles). The optimal conditions vary by species.

In practical use, scientists measure germination by germination percentage and germination rate over time, often using germination tests to assess viability and vigor. Itämistä is important in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and ecological restoration.