Seed germination

• Germination is the emergence and development of a seedling from the seed embryo, which is able to produce a normal plant under favorable condition.
• Is of two kinds : i) Epigeal germination (cotyledons above the ground). ii) Hypogeal germination (cotyledons below ground)
• Epigeal example includes bean, soybean, black gram, green gram, groundnut, pigeon pea, sunflower, pine seeds etc.
• Hypogeal example includes pea, gram, lentil etc.

Factors affecting germination

A) External factor

a) Temperature

b) Moisture

c) Air (O2 and CO2)

d) Light

B) Internal factors

a) Reserved food materials

b) Dormancy

c) Viability

d) Poisons and inhibitors

C) Agronomic and other factors

a) Pre harvest and post-harvest operations

b) Special treatments

c) Ecological condition for germination

d) Salinity condition for germination