HORTICULTURE

Detailed explanation-1: -The transition from dormancy to germination in seeds is a key physiological process during the lifecycle of plants. Abscisic acid (ABA) is the sole plant hormone known to maintain seed dormancy; it acts through a gene expression network involving the transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3).

Detailed explanation-2: -The example of phenolic compounds is ferulic acid, parasorbic acid, and coumarin. These compounds are present in the embryo or in the seed coats and inhibit the germination of the seed. Hence, the correct answer is option D.