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In What Ways Does Water Affect Seeds?

Water is needed for all forms of life on earth to live. In order for seeds to germinate, they need water. The sprouted seeds require water to grow, but too much water will cause seeds to rot. Water can be used for other treatments of seeds, too. It can be used to free seeds of bacteria and toxic enzyme inhibitors. Some plants even use water to disperse their seeds.

Germination
- The most important effect of water on seeds is for germination. In natural settings, the water from spring rains provides the constant moisture that seeds need to germinate. The coating of the seed, the shell, needs to be softened and water absorbed into the embryo of the seed to activate the enzymes that start the plant growing. If the seed dries up, the plant can't grow. Alternately, if the seed remains wet for too long a period of time, or is submerged in water, it may rot. One way to germinate seeds for early gardens is to place them in a moist piece of paper towel until they sprout. Then seeds must be watered frequently to maintain growth. Not every seed requires the same amount of water to germinate.
Seed Dispersal
- Light seeds that develop from aquatic plants, such as water lilies, float over the surface of the water to disperse. Trees that grow beside streams also produce seeds that float to their destination. Seeds from certain tropical plants, such as varieties of coconut have thick, woody shells that water doesn't permeate easily, allowing seeds to travel for extremely long distances to wash up on beaches before germination.
Eradicating Bacteria
- Bacterial pathogens borne in vegetable seeds may infect an entire crop, if not eradicated properly before planting. Treating raw seeds with hot water may perform the purification function, although certain seeds, such as those of the gourd family, can be damaged by the process. Seeds are warmed for 10 minutes in 100 degree Fahrenheit water and then placed in a bath of hot water that ranges from 118 to 125 degrees, depending upon the seed, and left at the constant water temperature for a period of 15 to 30 minutes, also depending upon the seed variety. They are placed in cold water to cool them and then spread on a clean surface to dry.
Removal of Toxic Enzyme Inhibitors
- Some raw seeds are not edible because they contain an enzyme that is acidic to the human body, but if the seeds are soaked, the enzyme is released into the water and the seeds are fit to be eaten. The seeds are placed in room-temperature water, which is changed ever few hours throughout the process with careful handling. Soaking times range from two hours to 48 hours depending upon the density of the seed. Easier digestion is possible, and consequently, the vitamins in the seeds are more easily absorbed into the human body.

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