DEVELOPMENT, DORMANCY AND GERMINATION OF SEEDS METABOLISM, HORMONAL CONTROL AND GENETIC CONTROL

Abstract

The seed is an important stage in the life cycle of higher plants, thus ensuring its survival. It is the plant's dispersal unit, which is able to survive the period between seed maturation and the establishment of the next generation as a seedling after germination. For this survival, the seed is mainly in a dry state, and well equipped to withstand long periods of adverse conditions. To optimize germination, the seed goes into a dormant state. Dormancy prevents germination before harvest. This seed dormancy allows the seeds to overcome unfavorable periods for seedlings. Several processes are known to be involved in the induction of dormancy and in the transition from dormant to germinal state. Many studies have been done to better understand how germination is controlled by various endogenous and exogenous factors. Thus, the biochemical and physiological factors linked to dormancy and the germination process as well as the role of phytohormones and genes involved in different tissues are described and discussed in this article.