Effects of seed growth and germination after exposure to motor oil By:Liyah Myra Craig

Scientific Question What is the effect of used motor oil on the germination of seeds & growth of plants?

Hypothesis We hypothesized that the plant with the most motor oil applied would germinate the fastest.

Materials -Pearl Millet -Medicine Droppers -Seed tray -Gallon used motor oil -Gallon water -bag soil -Ball string -12inch ruler -Set Measuring spoons -Permanent Marker (Blue) -Roll masking tape -Pair scissors -Plastic Garbage bag

Procedures 1)Soak seeds for 8 to 11 hours 2)Dry it off 3)Cut a 2 by 6 seed tray 4)Label each section of 2 by 6 ( “c” for controlled, and “1,2,3”, “1” being least amount of motor oil used and “3” being the most amount of motor oil used). 5)Plant “c” with 2 tbsp of plain water 6)Plant “1” with ½ a tbsp of motor oil and 1½ tbsp of water 7)Plant “2” with ¾ tbsp of motor oil and 1¼ tbsp of water 8)Plant “3” with 1 tbsp of motor oil and 1 tbsp of water 9) Repeat steps 5-8 each day, for 2 weeks measure the first plant to germinate in each 10)Measure the first plant to germinate in each section with string and 12 inch ruler

Trial 1 (WATER treatment) Days Seeds planted Seeds germinated Plant growth(cm) 1 5 2 3 1.5 4 2.5 6

Trial 2 (oil Treatment) Days Seeds planted Seeds germinated Plant growth (cm) 1 5 2 3 4 1.5 6

Trial 3 (oil treatment) Days Seeds planted Seeds germinated Plant growth (cm) 1 5 2 3 4 6

Trial 4 (oil treatment) Days Seeds planted Seeds germinated Plant growth (cm) 1 5 2 3 4 6

Data

RESULTS Our results were that motor oil caused no growth to the seed. The hypothesis was that the plant that had motor oil would germinate faster however plant c and 1 proved to be the fastest growing ones.

Conclusion Our hypothesis was disproven. The two seeds that germinated were the control and the seed treatments with the least amount of oil. The other two didn’t germinate. Used motor oil makes the soil too toxic to support growth. Since motor oil was added it leads to a lack of aeration in the soil that can suffocate soil.

References “What are the Effects of Used Engine oil on soil?” Garden and flowers. Web.22 march.2016