Why do some seeds germinate better in darkness than in light?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Their light-sensitive controls can inhibit germination in light
Their light-sensitive controls can inhibit germination in light ✓ — Light can inhibit germination in some species through the seed’s light-sensitive regulatory system. Other species need light or respond little to it, so darkness is not a universal requirement. A seed packet’s sowing instructions reflect these differences.
Darkness stops respiration so the seed can save all its reserves — Germinating seeds keep respiring in darkness to release usable energy from their reserves. They need oxygen and moisture; darkness does not turn off the energy demand of growth.
Darkness supplies the energy needed to start growth — Darkness is not an energy source. A germinating seed draws on food stored inside it; light or darkness can act as a signal rather than fuel.