AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Dormancy is an adaptive mechanism that affects the probability of survival of a species. The ability of seeds of many plant species to survive until dormancy recedes and meet the requirements for germination is an adaptive strategy that can act as a buffer against the negative effects of environmental heterogeneity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Dormancy is defined as the temporary inability of a viable seed to germinate under favorable environmental conditions (Simpson, 1990). Dormancy helps the seed to survive adverse environmental conditions and at the same time helps in seed dispersal (Snape et al., 2001).

Detailed explanation-3: -Studies have shown that light and alternating temperature regimes have been identified as two of the most important environmental factors in triggering seed germination [4, 15, 16].

Detailed explanation-4: -Scarification, hot water, dry heat, fire, acid and other chemicals, mulch, and light are the methods used for breaking seed coat dormancy [3].