Question

Does pH affect seed germination?

Answer 1

The growth of a seed into a young plant or a seedling is referred to as germination. The fundamental process by which different plant species grow from a single seed into a plant is referred to as seed germination and this influences both crop yield and the quality of the crop. The sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm is a common example of seed germination.

Complete answer:
In the first stage of germination, the seeds take up water very fast due to which the seed coat swelled up and softened at an optimum temperature and this stage is called Imbibition. By rupturing the seed coat, a primary root is formed by the emerging of the radicle and then the seed starts absorbing underground water. After the emerging of the radicle and the plumule, the shoot starts growing in the upward direction. In the final stage, the seed cells become metabolically active, elongate and are able to divide to give rise to the seedling.

According to the question the germination rate of seeds is affected by high pH negatively. The germination level and rate are affected negatively by the higher concentration of the nutritious solutions. pH affects the enzyme activity that is found in the plant and either stops the functioning of the enzymes. It also affects nutrient availability when the growth of plants takes place in the soil.

Note: The various conditions that are necessary for the seed germination are – water, oxygen, temperature, light or darkness in a sufficient amount that is needed by the types of plants. When these conditions are overused or of no use then they may harm the plants badly and the growth of the plant also not properly occurring.