What is Germination?
Germination is the process where a seed grows into an adult plant. Germination requires moisture, sunlight, soil and air.
Parts of the Seed
- The embryo is the baby plant. The embryo has the potential to grow into a fully developed plant.
- The seed coat is outer layer of the seed, and it protects the seed from getting damaged.
- The cotyledon stores food for the embryo to use.
- The radicle is the undeveloped root.
- The plumule is the undeveloped shoot.
The Process of Germination
If the conditions are met, the seed coat will swell and burst. The root will start to grow deep into the soil searching for nutrients.
After a while the roots will push the plant out of the soil. Then the seedling will start to develop.
The seed coat will fall off and then later the cotyledon falls off and becomes part of the soil.
Finally, the plant can produce its own food through photosynthesis. No longer needing the cotyledon to supply it with food.
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