DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EPIGEAL GERMINATION AND HYPOGEAL GERMINATION

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EPIGEAL GERMINATION AND HYPOGEAL GERMINATION


In hypogeal germination, the cotyledons emerge from the seed containing enough nutrients to fuel seed development and are not photosynthetic. These seeds are usually larger than epigeal seeds. As the seedling grows, its shoot rises above ground level, while the cotyledons remain below or at ground level.
In epigeal germination, the cotyledons emerge and rise above ground level as the seedling grows. They may also serve a photosynthetic role in seedling development. Seedlings that develop this way quickly form a shoot and leaves, both of which perform photosynthesis to fuel further development

 

Description of Epigeal Germination

• Seed absorbs/imbibes water and swells;
• testa splits and the radicle emerges;
• the hypocotyl of the germinating seed elongates;
• pushing the seed out of the soil;
• the cotyledon(s) become exposed to sunlight;
• and turn green to photosynthesize;
•  
• the plumule develops into a green shoot
• and the cotyledon(s) dry up/shrink and fall off.

   (ii)     Differences between Epigeal andHypogeal Germination
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