germination

Everyday

Germination is the process in which a seed starts to grow into a new plant, putting out a root and then a shoot. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on plant life cycles: germination comes after seed dispersal and before growth; it needs water, warmth and oxygen. Children test germination in fair tests (different temperatures or amounts of water). Phrases: «conditions for germination», «germination rate».

Examples

• Germination begins when the seed takes in water. tree →
• We tested what seeds need for germination. tree →
• Warmth speeds up germination. tree →
• Germination is the first stage of a plant's life cycle. tree →
• After germination, the shoot grows towards the light. tree →
• Our beans showed germination after four days. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From «germinate». In maths and science, the «germination rate» is the fraction or percentage of seeds that sprout: if 15 of 20 germinate, the rate is 15/20 = 3/4 = 75%.