Which of the following plants shows hypogeal germination?

1. Analyze the question The question asks which plant shows hypogeal germination.

2. Explain the concept

• Hypogeal germination: the cotyledons stay below the soil surface. The epicotyl (the part above the cotyledons) elongates and pushes the plumule up. Examples: maize, rice, beans (broad bean), pea, mango, oil palm, coconut.
• Epigeal germination: the cotyledons are pushed above the soil surface. The hypocotyl elongates and lifts them. Examples: groundnut, castor oil, cotton, orange, tomato, okra, most beans (e.g., French bean).

3. Solution: check each option

• A. Castor oil: epigeal. The hypocotyl elongates and the cotyledons rise above the ground.
• B. Groundnut: epigeal. The hypocotyl elongates and the cotyledons emerge above the soil (despite the name, the pods develop underground, but the germination is epigeal).
• C. Maize: hypogeal. The cotyledon (scutellum) stays in the soil, and the plumule grows upward protected by the coleoptile.
• D. Orange: epigeal. The cotyledons are carried above the soil.

4. Answer The correct option is C. maize.

5. Exam tip Remember the mnemonic: "Hypo = Hidden (underground)", "Epi = Emerges (above ground)." Common hypogeal plants to memorize: maize, rice, pea, mango, oil palm, coconut. Be careful with groundnut: it grows its pods underground, but its seedlings germinate epigeally. JAMB likes to use it as a trap.