Germination and Seed Growth Pyro Beans Germination and Seed Growth vs. Temperature and Time Michael, Jared, Sarah

Research Question The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether heating a seed to high temperatures will decrease the seed’s potential for a successful germination. °

Hypothesis Thicker seeds with husks/shells will be less affected by the heat More seeds will germinate at lower temperatures for shorter amounts of time.

Materials *5 alfalfa seeds *14 Petri dishes *3 hot plates *7 dishes *5 corn seeds *14 strips of paper towels *3 small beakers *5 sunflower seeds *1 sharpie *3 large beakers *5 oat seeds *distilled water *3 thermometers *5 wheat seeds *ruler *7 test tubes

Basic Experimental Setup

Procedure Divide the seeds into seven groups with three seeds of each kind in each group. There should be fifteen seeds in each group. Fill the three large beakers with water. Bring the first beaker to 100 degrees Celsius, the second beaker to 75 degrees Celsius, and the third beaker to 50 degrees Celsius. Leaving the seeds in their seven groups, move the seeds into test tubes so that they can be heater without getting wet. Put two test tubes in each water bath for three minutes. At three minutes, take one test tube out of each water bath and leave the remaining test tube for three more minutes. The final group will not be heated; it will be the control. Place the heated seeds into seven dishes filled with distilled water to soak overnight. Measure the root tip, if present, of each seed. Cut 14 strips of paper towels, wet them, and then place them on the bottom of the Petri dish. Move the groups of seeds into the Petri dishes and label each dish with a sharpie according to temperature in the water bath and time left in the water bath. Label the control group, control. Measure the length of root growth and stem growth of each seed daily until results are conclusive. Wet/change paper towel as needed to prevent fungal growth. Continue this as long as possible are growing or data is conclusive.

Graph - Alfalfa

Alfalfa-Analysis The growth of Alfalfa was not noticeably different in different heating conditions. The Alfalfa proved difficult to measure causing a number of errors. The 100°C bath for 6 minutes killed all Alfalfa seeds.

Graph - Sunflower

Sunflower-Analysis The 100°C 6&3Min. And 75°6min seeds all died. The control grew significantly better than any other group. The groups between showed average growth rates before the mold. This group shows sensitivity to heat. This also shows that any heat negatively affects growth rates.

Graph - Oat

Oat-Analysis The 100°C 6Min. group all died. The control and 50°C groups grew well. The 100°C 3Min. group and 75°C3Min. group grew decently. The 75°C6Min. grew as well as the lower temperatures possibly as a fluke.

Graph - Wheat

Wheat-Analysis Both 100°C groups and the 75°C 6Min. groups died showing sensitivity to heat. The 50°C groups grew best. The Control and 75°C 3Min grew well. Despite sensitivity mild heat provides best conditions.

Graph - Corn

Corn-Analysis This group shows sensitivity to heat, the seeds in both 100°C groups and the 75°C6Min. group died. A number were affected by mold early in the experiment not allowing for conclusive results. The trends suggest despite sensitivity to high heat, mild temperatures make no noticeable impact.

Conclusion All seeds showed sensitivity to heat; All groups died at the 100°C6Min. Wheat was the only seed that seemed to benefit from even mild heat. Alfalfa was completely unaffected, with the exception of the 100°C6Min. In conclusion to our research question, higher heats do generally lower growth rates, with some exceptions.

Thanks For Your Attention °