Seed germination is the beginning or the process of development of a seed (a fertilized ovule containing an embryo, which forms a new plant upon germination). Hydration of a seed, which is called imbibition (imbibere in Latin means to drink), is an essential step for seed germination. The embryo, a future plant, emerges from a seed through the covering tissues, including the testa (seed coat) and the endosperm (nutritive tissue
