Pepper Seed Germination and Growth in Various Saline Solutions
Soil Salinization Lab
Seth Anderson, Jacob Williams, Kevin Vafadouste, Davis Howard
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Question: How do varying saline solutions affect the germination and growth of pepper seeds?
What are we trying to accomplish?: We are trying to observe the effects of five solutions of dissolved sodium chloride, table salt, on pepper seeds and their initial germination. These solutions are of the following concentrations: 0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5%, and 5%.
Experimental Design: Twenty-five pepper seeds are placed in five petri dishes, with five seeds in each. Utilizing the general concentration relationship C1V1=C2V2, five saline solutions with concentrations as stated above were created. Seeds were placed in this solution and the resulting growth was measured. In the case of this experiment, the independent variable is the percentage of concentration of saline solution. The dependent variable is plant germination growth, in mm.
Hypothesis: We predict that the seeds placed in the 0%, 1%, and 2% solutions will germinate, with all higher concentrations resulting in no growth.
Materials:
Process: In order to observe the varying effects of germination in different concentrations of salt water, we set up five different petri dishes, each containing 5 pepper seeds, a folded paper towel, and a specific concentration of salt water solution, from 0 to 5% concentration. Saline solutions of varying concentration were prepared using the general concentration relationship C1V1=C2V2. This allowed for five solutions (0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5%, and 5% to be produced. Each batch of seeds was placed on the folded paper towel and 10 mL of each solution was poured into the dish, being absorbed into the paper towel.The seeds themselves were not covered with a paper towel. The dishes were observed over a designated period of time to hopefully compare the different effects that each solution has on the germination process and growth.
Data Tables and charts:
Images:
Day 1 (Jan. 11, 2018) no growth
Day 2 (Jan. 12, 2018) no growth
Day 6 (Jan. 16, 2018) no growth
Day 7 (Jan. 17, 2018) no growth
Day 8 (Jan. 18, 2018) no growth
Conclusions:
Considering the results of our controlled experiment, little can be ascertained due to the fact that none of our seeds experienced germination, at least until the last time they were checked on, Friday, January the 19th. Perhaps this is resultant of the germination time for pepper seeds? According to online research, pepper seeds may take up to two weeks to germinate, sometimes longer in cooler weather. Considering that our experiment has been conducted for only a period of eight days, it is probable that some of the seeds may germinate in due time. On the other hand, our seeds were not covered with a paper towel after having the initial watering performed. This may have also had an impact upon the overall germination of the seeds, for seeds are generally covered when sprouting, although this is not true for all cases. Overall, if any error were to have caused the seeds used in this experiment to fail to germinate, it seems most probable that those stated above would be the most likely culprits.
Soil Salinization Lab
Seth Anderson, Jacob Williams, Kevin Vafadouste, Davis Howard
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Title page
- Table of contents
- Question, statement of problem, experimental design, hypothesis, materials, process
- Data chart
- Images
- Images and conclusion
Question: How do varying saline solutions affect the germination and growth of pepper seeds?
What are we trying to accomplish?: We are trying to observe the effects of five solutions of dissolved sodium chloride, table salt, on pepper seeds and their initial germination. These solutions are of the following concentrations: 0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5%, and 5%.
Experimental Design: Twenty-five pepper seeds are placed in five petri dishes, with five seeds in each. Utilizing the general concentration relationship C1V1=C2V2, five saline solutions with concentrations as stated above were created. Seeds were placed in this solution and the resulting growth was measured. In the case of this experiment, the independent variable is the percentage of concentration of saline solution. The dependent variable is plant germination growth, in mm.
Hypothesis: We predict that the seeds placed in the 0%, 1%, and 2% solutions will germinate, with all higher concentrations resulting in no growth.
Materials:
- 5 petri dishes of equal size and shape
- Two graduated cylinders to prepare the proper concentrated solutions
- 25 pepper seeds
- Distilled water
- 5% saline solution
- Paper towels
- Tape
- Ruler
- Notebook
- Camera
- calculator
Process: In order to observe the varying effects of germination in different concentrations of salt water, we set up five different petri dishes, each containing 5 pepper seeds, a folded paper towel, and a specific concentration of salt water solution, from 0 to 5% concentration. Saline solutions of varying concentration were prepared using the general concentration relationship C1V1=C2V2. This allowed for five solutions (0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5%, and 5% to be produced. Each batch of seeds was placed on the folded paper towel and 10 mL of each solution was poured into the dish, being absorbed into the paper towel.The seeds themselves were not covered with a paper towel. The dishes were observed over a designated period of time to hopefully compare the different effects that each solution has on the germination process and growth.
Data Tables and charts:
Images:
Day 1 (Jan. 11, 2018) no growth
Day 2 (Jan. 12, 2018) no growth
Day 6 (Jan. 16, 2018) no growth
Day 7 (Jan. 17, 2018) no growth
Day 8 (Jan. 18, 2018) no growth
Conclusions:
Considering the results of our controlled experiment, little can be ascertained due to the fact that none of our seeds experienced germination, at least until the last time they were checked on, Friday, January the 19th. Perhaps this is resultant of the germination time for pepper seeds? According to online research, pepper seeds may take up to two weeks to germinate, sometimes longer in cooler weather. Considering that our experiment has been conducted for only a period of eight days, it is probable that some of the seeds may germinate in due time. On the other hand, our seeds were not covered with a paper towel after having the initial watering performed. This may have also had an impact upon the overall germination of the seeds, for seeds are generally covered when sprouting, although this is not true for all cases. Overall, if any error were to have caused the seeds used in this experiment to fail to germinate, it seems most probable that those stated above would be the most likely culprits.