Question

Give the main difference between hypogeal and epigeal and germination.

Answer 1

Epigeal germination—Epi means above; geo-means ground (soil). When the cotyledons in a growing seed come out of the soil it is an epigeal type of germination as in case of castor seed, bean seeds, pulses, tamarind cucumber. The cotyledons come out of the soil and turn green these are cotyledonary leaves and carry on the function of photosynthesis till new leaves arise in the growing seedling.

Hypogeal germination — Hypo-below, geo-soil it is that type of germination in which in the growing seed the cotyledons remain under the soil as in case of pea, gram, ground-nut, maize. The plumule forms the aerial shoot which later bears leaves and dies radicle gives rise to root. The tiny seedling gets food from the cotyledons till it establishes itself in the soil by its roots and starts getting water and minerals and as well the new leaves arise on the ascending axis and they start making food by the process of food making.

Differences—

Epigeal germination

1. In this type of germination the cotyledons come out of the soil.
2. The cotyledons turn green as they come out of the soil and serve as cotyledonary cotyledons leaves and carry on photo¬synthesis to make food for the growing seedling.
3. The cotyledons become pale and fall off when the ascending axis bear leaves

Hypogeal germination

1. In this type of germination the cotyledons remain under the soil.
2. The cotyledons remain under the ground and the seedling gets food from the till it establishes in the soil.
3. The cotyledons get rotten up in the soil when the seedling matures.