Seeds: Physiology of Development, Germination and Dormancy
Seeds require three primary signals for germination: water availability, temperature threshold, light quality
This comprehensive textbook is the authoritative reference on seed biology, covering the molecular, cellular, and whole-plant aspects of seed development, germination, and dormancy. It provides the scientific foundation for understanding the three gates of germination (water, temperature, light), enzyme activation during imbibition, and the resource calculations seeds must make.
The book's detailed treatment of how seeds sense environmental signals and convert stored reserves to usable energy directly informs the chapter's business translation - showing how startups must similarly sense market conditions and manage runway to reach product-market fit.
Key Findings from Bewley et al. (2013)
- Seeds require three primary signals for germination: water availability, temperature threshold, light quality
- Water triggers enzyme activation - gibberellins signal amylase production in cereals
- Seed reserves (starch, oil, protein) must sustain seedling until photosynthesis begins
- Dormancy mechanisms include physical barriers, chemical timers, and developmental requirements