Early seed germination begins with imbibition of water and can be described by a triphasic increase in seed fresh weight due to increasing water uptake.

These phases are characterized by a rapid increase in water during the imbibition phase followed by a period where there is little water uptake called the lag phase.

The fresh weight begins to increase again as the water uptake drives the emergence of the radicle.

Chart showing increases of weight by seeds during the three phases of germination as described by the previous paragraphs.

Photo of a seed with a radicle emerging.




Click on the button below to see germination video.