Salman 1

Nataly Salman
BIO 1500 Lab
Ian Moore
23 October 2015
Seed Germination Lab
Introduction
Seed Germination is the process in which a seed sprouts during maturity and grows and
develops. This process is affected by various circumstances, such as water, mineral, light
availability, and internal regulators such as hormones. (Dolphin 358) Because these factors are
not always controlled, seeds are able to germinate and sprout their shoots and roots whenever
they receive the sufficient amount of nutrients and variables. Just as humans are able to grow
and mature at distinctive rates and times, so are plant seedlings. However, one must be able to
briefly identify and distinguish the anatomy and physiology of the seed before understanding the
process of germination.

Figures 26.3 and 26.4 visualize the anatomy of the seeds used in this lab. (356).

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The seed coat protects the seed and embryo from harsh environmental conditions and
includes an endosperm right beneath it, which provides nutrients that are important for survival
until the seed matures and is able to provide for itself (355). The seed coat that surrounds the
mature seed is impermeable to oxygen and water that shows little to no metabolic activity (357).
Before germination occurs, the seeds must undergo a period of dormancy, meaning its physical
activity has stopped until all requirements are met (357). Through the absorption of water and
oxygen, their metabolism begins and allows different cues, such as low temperatures, fire,
mechanical abrasion of the seed surface, or exposure to digestive acids and enzymes of
herbivores to trigger seed germination (357).
When the water enters the cell, it rehydrates the seed and makes it metabolically active,
which breaks down starches to glucose to produce ATP (357). Therefore, water is the main
activator of germination because it is able to activate the seeds metabolism in order for it to
grow and mature. Also, Gibberellins, natural hormones, produce enzymes that break down the
seeds food reserves, causing elongation (357). When the Gibberellins participate in this
procedure, the shoots and the roots of the seed sprout and elongate and become visible.
The objectives of this lab were to understand the mechanism and importance of
germination, delineate biotic and abiotic factors that affect it, and conduct an experiment on
factors that affect seed germination.
In this lab, we identified the germination and growth rates of Zea Mays (Sweet Corn) and
Phaseolus Vulgaris (Kidney Beans) that were given several treatments and soaked in various
solutions. Our experiment consisted of specific preparations such as scarifying or not-scarifying
the seed, pre-soaking the seeds in a solution such as bleach or water for approximately one hour,

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and then distributing the seeds in a damp paper towel and recording the number of seeds every
other day for seven days. Although the seed was already soaked in a substance, we ensured that
some water was available to the seed during the period of seven days after the soaking. We then
measured the shoot and root averages for each of the seeds that germinated, which are triggered
by the activity of Gibberellins, as aforementioned.
The purpose of the soaking solutions was to see under which favorable condition the seed
would germinate faster and grow longer. Water was used as the control, and bleach was used to
show the difference in germination rates if the seed was soaked in various chemicals. We used
two different species of seeds, the Zea Mays and the Phaseolus Vulgaris. The purpose of two
different types of seeds was to evaluate the differences in monocots and eudicots. Monocots
consist of one cotyledon, and eudicots consist of two (356). The corn seed was an example of a
monocot seed and the kidney bean was an example of a dicot seed. Finally, scarifying removed
and cut the seed coat to ensure that the seed would get further as well as quicker access to
germination.
If a corn seed was soaked in water and scarified, then it would germinate at a higher rate
than a kidney bean soaked in bleach and not scarified. This is because I believe that corn seeds
(monocots) are more simple than the kidney beans (eudicots) and therefore are able to undergo
germination quicker. By scarifying them, we are able to ensure they receive access greatest
amount of nutrients and water, which is the primary pusher of germination.
Materials and Methods
My treatment was Q, I soaked 20 Kidney bean seeds in water for 1 hour and wetted my paper
towel in water, following the protocol in the Lab Handout prepared by Michelle Serreyn.
Results
Treatment

1:setup

Day Number and Germination Count (per 20 seeds)

5
6 7
Class (length in mm)

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Germinated
%Germinate

X
X

X 4
X 20%

X 14
X 70%

X 16
X 80%

Shoot Average: X
Root Average: X

d
Table 1: Single Student Data depicts my individual student data for presoaked and scarified
kidney beans placed in water. By the seventh day, only sixteen out of twenty, about 80% of my
kidney beans appeared to be germinated.

Kidney Beans Germinated in 7 days

N
u
m
b
er
of
S
e
e
d
s
G
er

Q: Kidney Beans Presoaked in Water and Scarified

Time

Graph 1: Individual Data visually depicts my data for my treatment. My treatment was Treatment
Q: Kidney Beans presoaked in water and scarified. The growth was continuous showed no lapse
or disturbances. On the 3rd day, four beans (nearly 20%) appeared to be germinated. By the 5 th
day, fourteen beans (about 70%) germinated. Finally, by the 7 th day, sixteen out of twenty kidney
beans (nearly 80%) germinated.
Day Number and Germination Count (per 20 seeds)
Treatment
A

Kidney bean pre-soak

water; scarify

Day 3
count
9

Day 3
%
45

Day 5
count
14

Day 5
%
70

Day 7
count
13

Day 7
%
65

Length
(in mm)
shoot avg = 13.38

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root avg =27.36
B

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

water; no scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; no scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; no scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; no scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

water; scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

water; no scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; no scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; no scarify

30

45

12

60

10

10

50

14

70

17.15

17

85

20

100

shoot avg = 13.5

root avg = 39.95
shoot avg =
root avg =

12

60

17

85

15

75

20

100

20

100

30

12

60

12

60

25

11

55

11

55

shoot avg = x
root avg = x
shoot avg = 39.3
root avg = 95.65
shoot avg = 11
root avg = 39.92
shoot avg = 54.6
root avg = 11.7
shoot avg =
root avg =

20

30

35

17

85

18

90

19

95

20

100

15

20

20

100

20

100

13

65

20

100

20

100

20

14

70

18

80

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; no scarify
Kidney bean pre-soak
water; scarify

shoot avg = 15.5

root avg = 30.64
shoot avg =
root avg =

shoot avg = 23.25

root avg = 24.9

shoot avg = 31
root avg = 0
shoot avg = 39.75
root avg = 29.75
shoot avg = 15.78
root avg = 54.44
shoot avg = 13.05
root avg = 53.8
shoot avg = 57.8
root avg = 28.7
shoot avg = x
root avg = x

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2
R

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

water; no scarify
Kidney bean pre-soak
bleach; no scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; scarify

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; no scarify

X
Y

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; no scarify
Kidney bean pre-soak
water; scarify

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; scarify

AA

Kidney bean pre-soak

water; no scarify

BB

Kidney bean pre-soak

bleach; no scarify

CC

Sweet corn pre-soak

water; scarify

DD

Sweet corn pre-soak

bleach; scarify

40

45

shoot avg = 22
root avg = 22.4
shoot avg =
root avg =

6
T

10

30

14

70

16

80

shoot avg = 18
root avg = 36.2
shoot avg =
root avg =

35

15

75

20

100

12

60

17

85

18

90

45

15

75

17

85

shoot avg = x
root avg = x
shoot avg = 15
root avg = 26
shoot avg = 69
root avg = 92
shoot avg =
root avg =
shoot avg =
root avg =
shoot avg =
root avg =
shoot avg =
root avg =
shoot avg =
root avg =
shoot avg =
root avg =

Table 2: Class Data depicts the overall class data for the different types of treatments and the
results of germination for each treatment on days 3, 5, and 7. The trends often vary as different
treatments were used on different bean types, with the lowest at 35% and the highest is at 100%
germination. It also has brief averages of the final shoot and root length for each of the
treatments done. Six out of nine treatments of Sweet corn germinated at 100% by the 7th day.

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The Effect of Treatment Type on Number of Seeds Germinated on the Seventh Day

100 100

100 100 100

100

90

90
85
80

80

70
65
60

60
55
45

30

Type of Treatment

Graph 2: Number of Seeds Germinated in 7 days portrays the average class data in single units. It
is evident that the sweet corn seeds germinated more within the 7th day and the kidney beans
germinated less in 7 days. Although most of the treatments of sweet corn seeds resulted in 100%
germination, sweet corn seeds presoaked in water and scarified germinated less (at 90% rather
than 100%) than the others that were treated. For the kidney beans, the ones treated by being presoaked in water and scarified and presoaked in bleach and not scarified germinated the most at a
rate of 80% by the 7th day. However, though treated the same way, treatments L and T (kidney
beans pre-soaked in bleach with no scarification) had different results, with one at 30% and the
other at 80% germination by the 7th day.
Discussion

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In steps one and two, we were guided to thoroughly wash, dry, and sanitize our hands as
well as preparing a disinfected work area on our work table to certify the most accurate data
possible. This was essential to ensuring no other physical factors came into play to disrupt or
alter our experiments, such as germs or other chemicals infecting our experimental seeds via our
hands or the table. After preparation and upon sealing our bags, we allowed some air to remain
within the zip lock bag, and then sealed it shut in order to ensure the seeds begin their
germination process with a sufficient amount of oxygen, since it is essential. When seeds split
and begin their germinating process the first thing they take up is oxygen and if we did not leave
air in the bag then there would be no oxygen for the seed to take in. The counterpart to this
specific procedure-wrapping the seeds in a damp paper towel-was to also ensure the seed gets a
certain amount of moisture to begin the process and not drying up during the course of seven
days.
The same treatments were also replicated by different students to ensure that variability
was reduced. This provides a greater significance and precision of the experiment tested.
Although my seeds were treated and prepared in the same way, not all of my seeds germinated at
the same time or at all within the seventh day. Seeds mature at different rates regardless of if they
are the same species and prepared identically. For example, both the highest and lowest (80%
and 30%) germination rates of kidney beans were prepared the same way- presoaked in bleach
and with no scarification. Because
My hypothesis indicated that if a corn seed was soaked in water and scarified, then it
would germinate at a higher rate than a kidney bean soaked in bleach and not scarified. I
proposed this hypothesis because a corn seed is a monocot which means it is more simple than a
dicot, meaning that its germination process was less complicated. Through scarification of the

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seed, My hypothesis was supported by the data provided. Regardless of the pre-soak substance
and whether it was scarified or non-scarified. 85% or more of all Sweet corn seeds were
germinated, where as in kidney beans, 80% was the greatest germination found and 30% was the
least, with kidney beans soaked in bleach and not scarified.
In conclusion, the preparation of the different seeds were of great impact of the results
obtained. Those non-scarified and soaked in bleach germinated less because they have less
access to nutrients, and the chemicals in the bleach might have altered their form. Therefore, data
was significantly correct and supported my hypothesis that monocots presoaked in water and
scarified.

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References
Dolphin, Warren D. Lab Topic 26 / Germination. Bio 1500 Lab Manual Wayne State
University. 9th ed. Mcgraw-Hill, 2011. Print.