Unit 4

Nursery Practices
A.SEED GERMINATION

J. Bulawan
 is the basic input for vegetable production, its quality
is a major factor which determines the economic
success of the crops (Mayer, 1982).

Seed Germination In plants is the process by which a

dormant seed begins to sprout and
grow into a seedling under the right
growing conditions.

Resumption of growth of the

plant embryo following
dormancy
Germination
–is defined as the emergence and development from the seed embryo of those
essential structures. First, environmental conditions must trigger the seed to grow.
When water is plentiful, the seed fills with water in a process is called imbibition.
The water activates special proteins, called enzymes. The leaves continue to grow
towards the light source in process called photomorphorgenesis.

Structure
–As a broad generalization, every seed consist of three essentials parts;
An embryo which will in due course give rise to the new plant.
Storage tissues which contain the substance which will nourish thee embryo during
its development prior to, and for some time after germination, and
A protective covering, or seed coat, which shields the embryo and endosperm and
may also play an important part controlling factors which initiate germination of
seed, in particular entry of moisture and gaseous exchange.
PARTS OF SEED
a.Embryo
–The embryo consists of two important parts, the radicle and plumule.
b.Radicle is the first organ to appear when a seed germinate. Its downwards into soil,
anchoring the seedling.
c.Plumule is the parts of a seed embryo that develops into the so shoot bearing the first true
leaves of a plant.
–it is often considered that when the seed is “ripe” all that is necessary to promote
germination is the right combination of moisture, temperature, and light, perhaps following
interval to allow for “after-ripening”.

d.Endosperm
–The endosperm provides food for the development of the seedling.
e.Seed coat
– The seed coat consists of one several layers of different constitutions. This structure, or
combination of structures function not only as a mechanical protection for the seed, but is also
important in many cases as a germinating regulator by controlling moisture and gas exchange
between the seed and the environment.
Requirements of Germination
1. Substratum
Suitable substrata for seed germination include paper, towelling ,
blotter paper, filter paper, cotton, sand or soil.

2. Moisture
The moisture content is the amount o water in the seed and usually
expressed as percentage.
Seeds are kept damp by keeping them in chambers where relative
humidity is maintained at 90-95%.

3.Temperature
The seeds of most agricultural plants germinate some where in the
temperature range of 10˚C-35˚C. Temperature control is useful where
dormancy occurs. In dormant seeds with permeable seed coats there seems to
be certain “blocks” to germination which may be surmounted or by passed by
various means. Some of the methods used are;
 1.Heating seeds at 40˚C or higher temperatures.
2.Using sharp alternations of temperature.
3. Applying a period of moist, low temperature.
4. Providing light.
5.Treating with chemicals such as Potassium nitrate or thiourea.

Light
A few seeds prefer to germinate in darkness, many are indifferent and
some require light. Seeds which require light should be grown on tanks, in
petri dishes or in shade houses out-of-doors. Day ligth or cool fluorescent
light are preferable to tungsten lamps.

Air
A few water inhibiting plants germinate best under full moon or partly
anaerobic condition. However, most seeds require some aeration so that the
test should not be kept to wet.
The Process Of Seed Germination
1.Imbibition
–First step in the seed germination, absorption of water by the seed.
Imbibition result in sweting of the seed of the seed as the cellular
constituents get rehydrated.

2.Respiration
–Imbibition of water causes the resumption of metabolic activity in the
rehydrated seed. Initially their respiration b may be anaerobic as oxygen
begins entering the seed.

3.Effect of light on Seed Germination

–Plants vary greatly in response to light with respect to seed
germination. The seeds which respond to light for their germination are name
as photoblastic.
Germination:
The breaking of dormancy
The growth of the embryo and its penetration of the seed coat
Break down of barriers
Abrasion of seed coat (soil
particles)
Decomposition of seed coat
(soil microbes, gut enzymes)
Cracking of seed coat (fire) Change in physical state -
rehydration
Destruction and dilution of
inhibitors
Light, temperature, water
Production of growth
promoters
 Process: Seed Germination

………..
1. 1. Imbibition
 water uptake, softens
inner tissues
 causes swelling and
seed coat rupture
 more water uptake
 Process: Seed Germination

2. Gibberelic Acid ………..

 Plant hormone (similar to
steroids)
 Dissolved & distributed
by water
 Process: Seed Germination
2. Gibberelic Acid
 Arrives at aleurone cells ………..
 Activates certain genes

3. Transcription Transportation
Translation  amylase

4. Amylase accelerates hydrolysis

of starch
 Process: Seed Germination
5. Hydrated
starch moves to ………..
the cotyledon
and radicle to
initiate growth
 Process: Seed Germination

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monocot Seed Germination

starch Fruit+Seed Coat

maltose Endosperm
sugar exocytosis Aleurone Layer
cotyledon
monocot -amylase Storage Protein

shoot apex RNA

Embryo Amino Acids

DNA
GA

radicle
apex
water
imbibition
dicot Seed Germination
shoot apex
starch
Seed Coat

sugar
cotyledons
-amylase
dicot

RNA

Embryo DNA

radicle phytochrome
apex photoreversibilit red and
y 660 nm white light
Pfr Pr
water photoactivatio 730 nm stimulate
n germination
imbibition dark
 Types of Germination
1. EPIGEAL GERMINATION
 In this type of germination, the cotyledon are raised out of
the soil and generally become green and photosynthetic.
 In dicots, they are pushed up by rapid extension of
hypocotyl before growth of the epicotyl.
 Occurs in bean, caster, mustard, tamarind, sunflower etc.
2. Hypogeal Germination
 The cotyledons remain underground.
 Hypocotyl growth is restricted.
 The epicotyl grows to raise the first leaves out of the soil.
 Occurs in dicotyledonous seeds of gram, pea, mango,
ground nut etc.
 Monocotyledons like rice, maize, wheat etc.
 Special Type of Germination
3. Viviparous Germination
 This special type of germination occurring in mangrove plants.
 These plants generally grow in salty lakes, sea coasts and deltas.
 Here the seed germinates while still attached to the parent plant
 The embryo emerges out of the fruit with a massive radicle pointing
downwards.
 Due to increased in weight, the seedlings separates from the parent plant
and establishes itself in the muddy soil below.
 Example : Rhizophora
 THANK YOU
TO GOD BE THE GLORY