Seed germination and seed viability are two terms that are related to seeds. Seeds are very important as they represent the sexual reproduction stage of a plant. In a suitable environment, seeds grow into seedlings, which later develop into mature plants.
The key difference between seed germination and seed viability is their nature. Seed germination is the process by which a plant grows into a seedling from seed, while seed viability is the capacity of a seed to germinate and produce a healthy seedling.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Seed Germination
3. What is Seed Viability
4. Similarities – Seed Germination and Seed Viability
5. Seed Germination vs Seed Viability in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Seed Germination vs Seed Viability
7. FAQ – Seed Germination and Seed Viability
What is Seed Germination?
Seed germination is the fundamental process by which different plant species grow from a single seed into a plant. One good example is the process of sprouting seedlings from seeds of an angiosperm or gymnosperm.
There are two types of major factors that affect seed germination: external and internal factors. External factors include water, temperature, and oxygen. Poor water or additional water decreases germination, while proper temperature and the required amount of oxygen increase seed germination. Moreover, internal factors for seed germination include seed dormancy. Seed dormancy is a condition in which seeds are prevented from germinating even under favorable conditions. Furthermore, a seed germination test will give growers a good idea of what seeds will germinate in the field.
What is Seed Viability?
Seed viability is the ability of a seed’s embryo to germinate or the extent to which the seeds remain metabolically active. One test to identify seed viability is a water test. In this test, seeds are placed in a container of water for 15 minutes. During this time, if the seeds sink, they are still viable, and if they float, they probably will not sprout.
Seed viability depends on a number of factors, such as pre-harvest and post-harvest factors. Pre-harvest factors include seed coat, pollination, mechanical injury, microflora, and time. Pigmented seed coat increases seed viability, while improper pollination, mechanical injury, microflora-like fungi, and improper time increase seed viability. Post-harvest factors that influence seed viability include moisture, relative humidity, temperature, chemicals, gases during storage, and insect mites. The right amount of moisture, lower temperature, proper humidity, and light treatment increase seed viability, whereas chemicals, insects, and mites decrease seed viability. In addition to that, an increase in oxygen pressure reduces seed viability. On the other hand, atmospheric N2 or CO2 increases the seed viability.
Similarities Between Seed Germination and Seed Viability
- Seed germination and seed viability are two terms that are related to seeds.
- Both are dependent on several factors.
- Both can be measured by different tests.
- They are very important for the survival of plants and the planet.
Difference Between Seed Germination and Seed Viability
Definition
- Seed germination is the fundamental process by which plant species grow from a single seed into a mature plant.
- Seed viability is the measure of how many seeds can develop into plants.
Process/ Measurement
- Seed germination is a process.
- Seed viability is a measurement.
Factors Depend On
- Seed germination is dependent on external factors such as water, temperature, and oxygen, as well as internal factors such as seed dormancy.
- Seed viability is dependent on factors such as pre-harvest factors, which include seed coat, pollination, mechanical injury, microflora, and time, and post-harvest factors, which include moisture, relative humidity, temperature, chemicals, gases during storage, and insects.
Tests to Check
- Seed germination can be checked by a seed germination test.
- Seed viability can be checked by water test.
The following table summarizes difference between seed germination and seed viability.
Summary – Seed Germination vs Seed Viability
Seeds are characteristic reproductive bodies of both angiosperms and gymnosperms. A seed is the plant embryo and food reserve and is enclosed and protected by an outer covering called a seed coat. Seed germination and seed viability are two related terms connected to seeds. Seed germination is the fundamental process by which a plant grows from a seed into a seedling, while seed viability measures how many seeds in a batch are alive and capable of developing into plants under appropriate field conditions. This is the main difference between seed germination and seed viability.
FAQ: Seed Germination and Seed Viability
1. What are the 5 steps of seed germination?
- The seed germination process includes several steps: imbibition (the seed absorbing water), water-activating enzymes that trigger the plant’s growth, the seed developing a root to access water underground, the seed-producing shoots that grow toward the sun, and the shoots growing leaves and beginning photomorphogenesis (the development of a plant in response to light).
2. What are the factors affecting seed germination?
- The factors for germination include external factors such as appropriate water, oxygen, light, and temperature levels and internal factors such as seed dormancy.
3. What are the 5 methods in germinating seeds?
- The common methods of germinating seeds include soil planting, paper towel germination, water soaking, stratification, and using a seed starter kit. The grower should choose the method that best suits the seeds and environment.
4. What does it mean for a seed to be viable?
- A viable seed is one that is capable of germination under suitable and favorable conditions. Moreover, the dormancy of seeds must be broken before viability can be measured by germination.
5. How does it determine the viability of seeds?
- Seed viability can be determined by a water test. Seeds are dunked in a glass of water for 15 minutes. During this time, if the seeds sink, they are still viable, and if they float, they probably will not sprout.
Reference:
1. “4.2 Seed Viability, Germinability, and Dormancy.” ClimEx Handbook.
2. “Germination.” Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Rice stages, seed germination” By IRRI Photos (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr
2. “January 9th, 2016 Testing bean seed viability” By Karen Blakeman (Public Domain) via Flickr
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