*2.1.1.1 Germination and seeding emergence*

Seeds should be planted half an inch deeper in the soil in a well-prepared soil, supplied with sufficient nutrients. The alfalfa seeds will absorb water about 24–48 h after planting, provided adequate water is present in the soil. As the seed imbibe water, a radicle root emerges forming the taproot that anchors the seed to the soil surface. The hypocotyl which is the initial seedling develops by pulling the seed coat up through the soil [28]. Germination takes place at optimum temperature range of 65–72°C (**Figure 1**).
