Question

Name the two types of germination. Explain with examples.

Answer 1

The embryo in a seed remains inactive or dormant. When the seed is placed in soil and given water, and the temperature is suitable, the embryo becomes active upon absorbing water and develops into a seedling.

There are three types of germinations.

1. Epigeal germination: Epi means above; geo-ground (earth). When the cotyledons of a growing seed emerge from the soil, it is an epigeal type of germination. For example, in castor, cucumber, tamarind, and bean seeds, the cotyledons emerge from the soil and turn green. These are called cotyledonary leaves. This canyon photosynthesizes until new leaves arise.
2. Hypogeal germination: Hypo-below, gea soil. When in a growing seed, the cotyledons remain under the ground, as in the case of a gram, pea, groundnut, and maize. The plumule forms the aerial shoot, which bears leaves, and the radicle gives rise to roots. The growing seedling gets food from the cotyledons. As the seedling grows, the cotyledons die in the soil.
3. Viviparous germination: This is a special type of germination. This occurs in plants growing along the sea coasts and in salt lakes. The seed starts growing while it is still attached to the plant, as in mangrove plants. The embryo comes out of the fruit with a long, dart-like radicle. It falls directly into the soft, slushy, wet mud. The radicle gives rise to a root and establishes as a seedling, and the plumule gives rise to a shoot. This is in mangrove plants.