Seeds when soaked in water, they imbibe it because of -

Options

A. O.P inside the seed is low
B. OP of water is high
C. DPD of seed is very much low
D. Water potential gradient between the seed coat and water

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Imbibition**: Imbibition is the process by which seeds absorb water when they are soaked. This leads to the swelling of the seeds.

2. **Analyzing the Options**: The question provides four options regarding why seeds imbibe water. We need to evaluate each option.

3. **Option 1 - OP of inside seed is low**:
- In a dry seed, the osmotic potential (OP) is actually high because the concentration of solutes is low (10-15% water concentration). Therefore, this option is incorrect.

4. **Option 2 - OP of water is high**:
- The osmotic potential of pure water is low because it has very few solutes. Thus, this option is also incorrect.

5. **Option 3 - DPD of seed is very much low**:
- The diffusion pressure deficit (DPD) indicates the water demand of the seed. Since the seeds are dry, they have a high DPD, meaning they require water. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

6. **Option 4 - Water potential gradient between seed coat and water**:
- In dry seeds, there is a significant difference in water potential between the dry seed and the surrounding water. The dry seed has a low water potential due to low water content, while the water has a high water potential. This gradient causes water to move into the seed, leading to imbibition. Thus, this option is correct.

7. **Conclusion**: The correct answer is that seeds imbibe water due to the water potential gradient between the seed coat and the surrounding water.

**Final Answer**: Seeds when soaked in water imbibe it because of the water potential gradient between the seed coat and water.

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