Final answer:
The most critical factor for seed germination is not just seed-to-soil impact but also includes the chemical environment of the seed, influenced by hormones such as gibberellins or abscisic acid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "Given adequate moisture and favorable temperatures, the most critical thing that insures germination is seed-to-soil impact" is false. While seed-to-soil contact is indeed important, it is not the most critical factor. For example, in an experiment aimed at releasing seeds from dormancy, the application of certain hormones has been shown to affect the rate of germination significantly. Specifically, germination rates can increase due to the presence of substances like gibberellins or decreased by the presence of abscisic acid, which generally inhibits germination. As a result, the chemical environment of the seed can be equally, if not more, critical than simply the seed-to-soil impact.