What effects seed germination?

Answer 1

Following factors are to be taken in to consideration foe seed germination-:

1) Dormancy period -- A seed requires to undergo a period of dormancy after its formation. During this period the seed 'rests' and may refuse to germinate properly. This period varies from seed to seed . Seeds of water melon or red gourd do not have a dormany period and may germinate easily immediately after their formation in the fruit. Others require dormancy period ranging from a few weeks to a few months.

2) Viability of a seed -- It is exactly like expiry date/period of a commercial product. It must not be confused with the dormancy or 'resting period'

After the resting period a seed bcomes ready to germinate.But this readiness is not for ever. It literally expires after cerain period.After that seed will not germinate. This 'ready to germinate' period is the viability period of a seed. It may vary from a few years to many centuries.Seeds of Lotus are reported to have germinated even after eight hundred years! In that case their viability period is atleast that much if not more.

After considering the two inherent factors, let us now look in to the external factors.

3) Soil moisture or water -- This is required to trigger the mechanism of germination.In in absence of moisture the seeds can not germinate ; but when it is available it is imbibed by the seed coat and the enzymes in side become active and functional. The amount of water does not matter in the initial stages; But later on it becomes critical.

4) Soil Texture - Does not matter during germination. Seeds can even germinate with out soil on the piece of a moist blotting paper.

5)Soil pH--Should too acidic. pH 5 to 8 is alright.

6) Soil temparature - It should be on the warmer side.Lesser the temp. lesser the rate of germination.

7) Light - It does not affect the process of germination; but some seeds do germinate better in the ABSENCE of light. They like darkness for germination it seems.