... to absorb water and mineral ions. Then the plumule (young shoot) emerges and grows up. The radicle and plumule continue to grow in to a young plant. For a seed to germinate it needs a supply of water, oxygen for aerobic respiration and a temperature suitable for the enzymes involved in germination in some seeds light is needed. If the seed isn't given the right environmental conditions the seed will continue to remain dormant or in a sterile condition. This may be due to a number of factors that include that the seed was kept in anaerobic conditions, the seed was kept dry or that the seed was kept cool. With these conditions oxygen and water cannot reach the embryo if the testa remains impermeable and the seed unable to germinate. A seed needs water so the coat can soften, it also needs oxygen to support the high rate of respiration ...

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