Summary
The sprouting of a seed into a seedling when water, oxygen and suitable temperature are available.
In depth
Water uptake (imbibition) activates enzymes; gibberellin triggers amylase production in cereals, mobilising starch. The radicle emerges first. Requirements: water, oxygen, suitable temperature; light for some.
Stages: water uptake, activation of metabolism, radicle emergence, then shoot growth. Hormones coordinate: ABA maintains dormancy, gibberellin breaks it. Epigeal germination lifts cotyledons above ground; hypogeal leaves them below.
Key idea: seeds must have sufficient stored food until the seedling can photosynthesise.
Germination requires water, oxygen and a suitable temperature, and light for some seeds. Epigeal germination lifts cotyledons above ground (beans), and hypogeal leaves them below (peas, maize). Gibberellin from the embryo induces the aleurone layer to make amylase that digests starch in barley, which is how malting works. Abscisic acid maintains dormancy, and its decline together with gibberellin rise signals germination.
Seedlings first live from stored food and then become autotrophic. Breaking dormancy may require cold stratification, scarification (scratching the coat), smoke or fire (some Australian species), or passing through an animal gut. Germination rates are used to test seed quality.
Example: in the lab, soaking seeds and measuring their mass shows imbibition as an early step.
Frequently asked questions
What is Germination?
The sprouting of a seed into a seedling when water, oxygen and suitable temperature are available.
Which area of biology covers Germination, and how advanced is it?
Germination is one of the 56 topics in Plant Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Seeds, Abscisic Acid and Drought, Stomata.
Can you give an example of Germination?
Barley malting uses germination to produce amylase for brewing.
What should I learn before Germination?
Germination is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Plant Biology that pair well with it include Plant Kingdom, Photosynthesis, Chlorophyll.
What topics are related to Germination?
The closest topics to Germination are Seeds, Abscisic Acid and Drought, Stomata, Plant Hormones. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Germination?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Germination. To practise the whole of Plant Biology, use the Plant Biology quiz.
How is Germination different from Seeds?
Germination: The sprouting of a seed into a seedling when water, oxygen and suitable temperature are available. Seeds: Protective packages containing an embryo and food store that can grow into a new plant. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Germination step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Seeds and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Plant Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.