Seeds of some plants germinate immediately after shedding from the plants while in other plants they require a period of rest before germination. The later phenomenon is called as dormancy. Give the reasons for seed dormancy and some methods to break it.

Question

Seeds of some plants germinate immediately after shedding from the plants while in other plants they require a period of rest before germination. The later phenomenon is called as dormancy. Give the reasons for seed dormancy and some methods to break it.

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Dormant seeds remain under non-germination conditions only for a specific period of time that may vary from days to years. This specific period is called dormancy period.

Reasons for seed dormancy –

• Impermeable and hard seed coat

• Presence of chemical inhibitors like abscisic acid

• Immature embryo

Methods to break seed dormancy are –

• Washing away of inhibitors due to rain

• Maturation of embryo

• Inactivation of growth inhibitors due to heat or cold treatment.

• Weakening and decomposition of seed coat by microorganisms.