Seed Germination

Question 1

Hormone that interferes with gibberellic acid and inhibits germination; plays an important role in preventing vivipary

Answer 1

Abscisic acid

Question 2

Damage to a seed embryo caused by cool temperatures during imbibition that can prevent effective germination

Answer 2

Chilling injury

Question 3

A “seed leaf” that is not a true leaf but that still serves a photosynthetic function

Answer 3

Cotyledon

Question 4

Group of plant hormones that encourage germination by overcoming the action of abscisic acid

Answer 4

Cytokinins

Question 5

A term used to describe the death of small seedlings resulting from attacks by certain soil fungi

Answer 5

Damping off

Question 6

Tool used to prick out seedlings from media for transplanting

Answer 6

Dibber

Question 7

Part of the seedling shoot above the cotyledons that bears the first true leaves

Answer 7

Epicotyl

Question 8

A type of plant that grows on top of something else, such as a tree or rock

Answer 8

Epiphytic plant

Question 9

Group of hormones considered the primary stimulus for seed germination that operate by activating enzymes that convert starch to sugar in the endosperm

Answer 9

Gibberellins

Question 10

Phrase typically used in the trade to refer to the process of taking a plant from the seedling stage to an established plant

Answer 10

Growing on

Question 11

Part of the seedling shoot below the cotyledons

Answer 11

Hypocotyl

Question 12

Process in which a seed rapidly absorbs water through the seed coat

Answer 12

Imbibition

Question 13

Second stage of germination in which little to no water is imbibed by the seed and enzymes are activated

Answer 13

Lag phase

Question 14

Growing point of the seedling shoot

Answer 14

Plumule

Question 15

Growing point of the seedling root

Answer 15

Radicle

Question 16

Type of dormancy that prevents seed germination during hot, dry summers immediately after the seed reaches maturity

Answer 16

Thermodormancy

Question 17

How can you test if a seed is viable?

Answer 17

“Float” the seeds in water - those that float are not viable
Cut some of the possibly viable seeds to see if they have a fully developed embryo - if not, the others may not be not viable / underdeveloped (may need longer period of stratification)

Question 18

Three stages of seed germination

Answer 18

1. Imbibition of water
2. Enzymes activated; Digestion of energy sources; Translocation to growing plants
   3.