Sprouting is the first stage of plant growth where a seed breaks dormancy, pushing a radicle into the soil and a shoot toward the surface. In agriculture, achieving a fast, uniform sprout across a field is critical for establishing a strong crop stand that can outcompete weeds. The term also applies to new vegetative growth arising from the stumps or tubers of established plants.
The soil temperature finally hit sixty degrees, so the sweet corn we planted in that field should sprout.
Also heard as
- germinate
Related terms
Germinate
The initial process where a seed breaks dormancy and begins to sprout.
Seed
Any plant part intended for sowing and propagation, including true botanical seeds, tubers, or bulbs.
Tillering
The production of secondary stems from the crown of a grass plant.
Volunteer
A plant that grows on its own from seeds left behind by a previous crop.