Introductory Crop Physiology (1+1)

Significance of Imbibitions

1. Imbibition is the first step in germination of seeds. When the seeds are soaked in water, they imbibe water and swell. The water is imbibed by the seed coat and then by other tissues of embryo and endosperm. Thus, the process of imbibition initiates the seed germination.
2. The water is first adsorbed by the walls of root hairs which are then absorbed by the root hair.
3. During imbibition, heat energy is released which further increases the metabolic activities of cells of seeds.