Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Apple Seed Germination 
Name: Paul C.
Status: educator
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 12/10/2002
Question:
Why do apple seeds need to "winter" or "sleep" before they can germinate?

Replies:
The following about the cold "stratification" period required for germination may be helpful:

http://www.agweb.okstate.edu/pearl/hort/fruits/f6211.htm

http://trc.ucdavis.edu/egsutter/plb171/lecturespdf4/5-Seed%20dormancy02.pdf

Anthony Brach, Ph.D

This may help:

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/tg/c3-background.html

"Some seeds may be inhibited from germinating because of either physical or physiological dormancy. Physical dormancy usually takes the form of a seed coat that is so hard that water and oxygen cannot get through until the coat breaks down. These seeds benefit from being soaked or scratched lightly before planting. Morning glories and locust seeds are examples. Physiological dormancy results when the internal chemistry of the seed needs to be corrected by exposing the seed to proper temperatures. Seeds such as apple will not germinate unless exposed to cold temperatures for a period of time. Both of these adaptations prevent the seed from germinating until conditions are right for their survival."

J. Elliott


Click here to return to the Botany Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory