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.


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.


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