Germentation Lab Report

Using different chemical seed soaks to improve the rate of germination

A 2013 Year 9 Science Project by Josh Martin
Class Level 1 with Mr Box

Abstract:
The purpose of this investigation was to determine which out of five readily available chemicals was the most effective at scarifying seeds to improve the rate of germination, and what concentration of the most effective chemical was the most efficacious. Ten seeds for each of the five chemicals hydrogen peroxide, glucose, hydrochloric acid, isopropyl alcohol and citric acid were soaked in the solution for approximately twelve hours then subsequently rinsed to remove residue of the chemicals. They were then planted in beds of cotton wool inside plastic containers
In the initial testing, it germinated three seeds within two days. Glucose also achieved these same results; however it was decided that hydrogen peroxide was more successful as the sprouts from its seeds, were longer and healthier. All other chemicals (Citric acid, Isopropyl alcohol, Hydrochloric acid) yielded no sprouts from the seeds. A 2% concentration of hydrogen peroxide was the most efficacious concentration where it germinated three seeds within two days. The least effective concentration of hydrogen peroxide was 6% which resulted in no sprouts from the
The second strongest concentration, 3%, only produced one sprout. This means that it is likely that the concentrations were too strong for most of the seeds and killed the plant embryos inside the seed. This trend is upset by 2% being more successful than 1%. To see a definite trend or draw a clearer conclusion, however would require large scale testing to be performed, a kind of which was not possible to do with the testing environment and testing period which was