ABSTRACT
Germination may be defined as an emergence of embryo from the seed by starting a variety of anabolic and catabolic activities, including respiration, protein synthesis, and mobilization of food reserves after it has absorbed water. To the seed analyst, germination means the emergence and development from the seed embryo of the essential structures that indicate the seed's ability to produce a normal plant under favorable conditions (1). The presence of oxygen is necessary to allow some aerobic respiration, as is a temperature suitable to permit various metabolic processes to proceed. Seeds ofmany plant species, however, fail to germinate in spite of favorable conditions owing to dormancy.
