How seeds germinate and grow

1. Swelling

When seeds are germinating and growing, when the seeds are soaked in water or fall into moist soil, the hydrophilic substances in the seeds will attract water molecules, causing the volume of the seeds to increase rapidly. At the beginning of the swelling, the water absorption will be relatively fast, and then it will gradually slow down. The result of imbibition will cause the seed coat to soften or rupture, and the permeability of the seed coat to gases will increase, which will promote germination.

2. Hydration and enzyme activation

When the seed absorption stage is over, the cell wall of the seed will hydrate with the protoplasm, the various enzymes in the seed will begin to activate, and the respiration and metabolism will increase dramatically.

3. The embryo breaks through the seed coat

The embryo will break through the seed coat and then increase in size. Most seeds will first grow a radicle and then a plumule.

4. Grow into seedlings

After the seeds grow radicle and plumule, they will gradually grow roots, stems, leaves, and then form seedlings.