Page 42 - Photosynthesis: The Green Miracle

Adnan Oktar

Rain is very infrequent in desert
climates. For that reason, plants
possess very different features
in order that their seeds may
sprout and survive. For exam-
ple, buried seeds of the bitter
melon sprout only after receiv-
ing several falls of rain.

during the subsequent drought, their species would become extinct. Yet
most of these plants possess mechanisms that ensure that the seeds sprout
only after receiving a large, soaking quantity of rain. These plants possess a
property known as seed polymorphism, which is the ability to vary the time
of their seeds’ sprouting. In addition, a natural chemical in the seeds retards
their germinating. When water first reaches the seed, its rising to the sur-
face stage is completed. However, this protective substance must be thor-
oughly neutralized if the seed is to sprout—which takes place with the
seed’s second contact with water. But if this second encounter does not take

place—in other words, if it does not soon rain again—then the seed will not
sprout. Therefore, seeds require two separate stages; the first causes the
seeds to float to the surface, and the second rinses away the substance that
prevents germination. Sprouting occurs only after this has taken place.
The seeds of other ephemerals—for instance, those of the bitter mel-
on—sprout only in the dark. The external coating of the seeds changes aft-
er a series of wetting and drying out and permits oxygen to freely enter

the seed embryo. The combination of these essential factors causes the
seed to sprout, but only after being buried and receiving moisture a num-
ber of times.

40