Lab Report

Introduction

Germination is the process in which seeds begin to sprout roots and grow into a plant. During this process, seeds take in oxygen, water and other nutrients in order to produce energy and to mature. Before a seed can germinate, in must go through a process called imbition, in which its cells take in water through osmosis. There are many factors which affect the germination rate of seeds, such as temperature, light, and water. Salinity is also a factor that can affect the rate in which a seed germinates. Because salt creates an osmotic pressure when in water, it can enter the seed, preventing the intake of water. This may cause restricted growth and development of the seed. There have been many studies conducted involving the effect of salinity on seed germination. Researchers have found a reduced rate of growth and germination of seeds exposed to water with a high amount of salt. Recent studies suggest that salinity has a significant impact on the ability of a seed to germinate completely. The objective of the experiment is to determine if the salinity of water has an effect on the germination rate of seeds. Our hypothesis is high concentrations of salt will have a significant effect on the rate in which seeds germinate. In this report, experimental analysis of germination rate in seeds exposed to high concentrations of salt is discussed and summarized.

Methods

To investigate the effect of salinity on seed germination, we gathered 4 samples of 15 wheat seeds and placed each sample in a plastic bag with a paper towel. We then applied our treatments to each bag. In the first bag, we placed 5mL of 0.4M NaCl solution. In the second bag, we placed 5mL of 0.1M NaCl solution. In the third bag, we placed 5mL of 4M NaCl solution. In the fourth bag, we placed 5mL of 0M NaCl solution. To make sure the seeds got light, we placed the bags in a window sill. Each bag received variable amounts of light. We maintained a temperature between 70 and 75 degrees for...