germinate

Germination is the biological process by which a plant grows from a seed or spore following dormancy. In seeds, germination begins when the seed absorbs water (imbibition), reactivating metabolism. Enzymes break down stored reserves to fuel growth of the embryo. The first structure to emerge is typically the radicle, the embryonic root, followed by the shoot, or plumule, and the cotyledons. In many species, germination ends when the seedling emerges from the seed coat and becomes photosynthetically active.

Germination requires three primary environmental conditions: suitable moisture, appropriate temperature, and adequate oxygen. Light can influence germination for some seeds; others germinate best in darkness. Temperature ranges are species-specific; low temperatures slow or prevent germination; very high temperatures can be lethal.

Dormancy helps seeds avoid germinating at unsuitable times. Dormancy can be physical (hard seed coat), chemical (growth-inhibiting substances such as abscisic acid), or physiological (metabolic state). Dormancy can be broken by scarification, stratification (cold treatment), after-ripening, light cues, or exposure to certain chemicals.

Viability declines with age; storage under cool, dry conditions prolongs life. Germination tests on samples estimate viability and are used in agriculture and horticulture to assess seed lots. Uniform germination supports predictable crop establishment, while ecological germination studies examine plant recruitment and seasonal dynamics.