Independent Experiments on Seed Germination or

Seedling Growth

BI 152 Spring 2011

Seed Germination versus Seedling Growth (events above soil)

A seed, germinatinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H85mpP-WoCI&feature=autoplay&list=PL5147736455D7A4AF&index=318

Seedling growthhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nRVZPJdXOo&feature=related

cotyledons First true leaves

cotyledons

Germination

• Seeds are dormant: Most are alive but at a very reduced level of metabolism. – Some seeds have germinated after 500 years

• Water is required to break dormancy• Measuring germination: – Number that germinate after X days– Rate of germination (how many days)– Length of radicle, primary root, hypocotyl– Other:

Seedling Growth

• Once the new plant begins to emerge from the soil, it is considered a seedling.

• Measuring seedlings– Height: soil line to top of stem– Mass: after a certain date, cut them off and weigh

them– Leaf size: from petiole to tip– Number that emerged– Other??

BASIC METHODS

Germination Chamber

• First, fold a paper towel so that it just fits inside the bag.• Put it into the plastic bag.• About midway down the bag staple 4-6 staples in a row.

This is where your seeds are going to sit.• Then, pour some water into the bag. Stop when the

towel has absorbed all it can and there is none in the bottom of the bag. Pour out excess.

• Then, take your seeds and put them on the row of staples. How many? It’s up to you.

• Zip up your bag, unless you are testing that as an IV.

Planting seeds for Seedling Growth

• Get the number of pots you need• Fill with soil or other growth medium• MOISTEN with water (distilled if that is your IV)

and pat the soil gently until it is really wet• Plant 5 or more seeds in holes NO DEEPER than

1 cm. (the depth should be equal to or less than the nail on your ring finger)

• Cover with soil • Wait and watch