Why is light important in seed germination?
However, some seeds germinate best in absolute darkness, and others perform well with continuous sunlight. Light does become vital for every species after germination, because the initial sprout will not survive if it cannot reach a light source.
Does light affect germination rates?
Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don’t confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.
Why do seeds don’t need light to germinate?
The influence of light on germination was much stronger in smaller than in larger seeds. Seed responses to light can control the timing of germination in the field, impacting seedling survival, as well as growth and fitness in subsequent life stages.
Which light promotes seed germination?
red wave
This relates to the type of light which the seed receives. As a generalisation, light in the red wave length usually promotes germination whereas blue light inhibits it.
Do plants grow better in red light?
Red light can convey caution or danger or stopping at intersections, but for plants red light is highly effective at regulating growth and development. Within the photosynthetically active waveband (400 to 700 nm), sunlight emits roughly similar amounts of blue, green and red light.
Can plants grow in darkness?
ANSWER: In a strict sense, plants do not grow faster in the dark; they grow slower. However, plants seem to grow faster in insufficient light due to rapid cell elongation. In conditions of total darkness, plant cells will generally expand upward, a process called geotropism.
How long should I wait for seeds to germinate?
Depending on the seed and the environment, a general rule of thumb is you should see signs of germination within 3 to 5 days of moisture being introduced to the seed and, if your germination method allows, you will be able to see a white root tip within this time frame.
