Germination of Maize grain

The maize grain when sown in loose and moist soil, imbibes water, swells and slowly becomes active and germinates. The cells of the epithelial layer produce digestive enzymes which digest the organic nutrients present in the endosperm. The scutellum absorbs these digested nutrients and obtains energy for germination. First the radicle develops utilizing this energy and emerges by breaking through the coleorihza, to form aprimary root. In maize, the primary root disintegrates soon and a large number of adventitious fibrous roots develop from the plumule and coleoptile. Gradually the plumule along with the fully protective coleoptiles develops and emerges off the soil. Later on the plumule grows, elongates and comes out of the coleoptile and then starts the formation of leaves theron.