An overview of what seed germination is and the four major factors influencing it.

2. • What is it?
–Process that causes a seed to begin to
__________ into a new __________grow plant

3. Factors influencing
germination
• Water
• Oxygen
• Temperature
• Light

4. Water
• Mature seeds have relatively little
moisture to prevent __________
• Seeds usually mature in ______
• To germinate, seeds must ______
_____ water
decay
fall
take
in

5. Water (cont.)
• Outside seed coat = ________
• Seed is _________ when testa
is dry and in tact
• With moisture, testa softens,
swells and _______________
testa
dormant
ruptures (opens)

6. Oxygen
• Oxygen in the presence of
enough moisture causes
_______________ to start
• This creates __________ for
the germination process
respiration
energy

7. Temperature
• Most seeds go through a ________
period before germination
• Helps prevent seeds from
__________ as soon as they mature
• Proper temp. for most seeds =
_____________
cold
sprouting
68 – 85 o
F

8. Light
• Amount of light needed varies
• __________ of seed planting
influences this
• Too deep = not enough _______ or
__________
• Too shallow may = too much
________
Depth
light
oxygen
light

9. Dormancy
• Period when seed is alive
but not ___________
• Proper __________ break
dormancy
• Viable - _________ of
living or germinating
growing
conditions
capable