Theory 44/Biology & physiology/Seed germination
Germination Is Imbibition Against Repair
The claim
A seed germinates only when the ratio of imbibition rate to membrane repair rate exceeds a threshold, so fast wetting can kill a viable seed.
01Mechanism
Rapid water entry damages membranes faster than repair can restore them.
02Prediction
Germination should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Germination tracking water content would remove the damage term.