Types of germination

1. Epigeal germination (epi-upon and ge-earth):

• Seed germination in which the seed leaves (cotyledons) emerge from the ground and function as true leaves are called epigeal germination.
• During root establishment, the hypocotyl begins to elongate by quick cell division and push the seed cotyledon up which breaks the soil crust and projects into the air through the soil.
• Afterward, the cotyledon opens, plumule growth continues and the exhausted cotyledon withers and falls to the ground.
• It is found in beans, soybean, black gram, green gram, groundnut, pigeon pea, sunflower, pine seeds, etc.

2. Hypogeal germination:

• It is the kind of seed germination in which the seed leaves (cotyledons) remain below the ground.
• The cells of epicotyls divide faster and increase the length of epicotyls, which pushes the seed leaves below the ground.
• Regardless of above and belowground, the cotyledons continue to provide nutrition to the growing points throughout germination.
• Most cereals or monocots except onion are a hypogeal type of germination. Some winter pulses like peas, gram, lentils, etc also have the hypogeal type of germination.