Seed Dormancy MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers

• There are certain seeds that fail to germinate even when external conditions are favourable. 
• Such seeds are understood to be undergoing a period of dormancy which is controlled not by external environment but are under endogenous control or conditions within the seed itself.

Reasons for seed dormancy:

• Impermeable and hard seed coat
• Presence of chemical inhibitors such as abscisic acids, phenolic acids, para-ascorbic acid
• Immature embryos

Overcoming Seed Dormancy:

• The seed coat barrier in some seeds can be broken by mechanical abrasions using knives, sandpaper, etc. or vigorous shaking.
• In nature, these abrasions are caused by microbial action, and passage through the digestive tract of animals.
• Effect of inhibitory substances can be removed by subjecting the seeds to chilling conditions or by application of certain chemicals like gibberellic acid and nitrates.
• Changing environmental conditions, such as light and temperature are other methods to overcome seed dormancy.