Scientific Experiments: Temperature & Sprouting Seeds

You can use beans instead of seeds in this experiments.

The concept of seeds germinating, or sprouting, is an intriguing one. After all, the fact that a tiny seed can grow into a gigantic tree seems to be illogical. The truth is, however, that many seeds in nature never end up sprouting. The germination process requires conditions to be perfect before seeds will sprout. You can examine the impact of various temperatures on seed germination by performing an experiment.

How to Germinate Seeds

Germinating seeds is much easier than it may seem. All you need to do is place some seeds into a moist, folded paper towel and then slide the paper towel into a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in direct sunlight, and the seed will have everything it needs to germinate: water and sunlight. It will need soil in order to grow fully, but the germination process does not require this.

The Basic Experiment

Designing an experiment about the connection between temperature and germination usually begins the same way. The variable that you will change is the temperature of the environment; all other variables will stay the same. To change the temperature of the environment, you could place one seed bag in direct sunlight, one in indirect sunlight, one directly next to a heating vent and one in the refrigerator. It will take three to five days for the first seeds to germinate.

Testing Radiation

You can extend the previous experiment to see whether the radiation --- which usually comes from the sun --- has any affect on the seeds. Before setting up the bags, microwave some of the seeds for five seconds, some for 10 seconds, some for 20 seconds and some for a minute. This not only increases their temperature, it also exposes them to radiation. Put them all in the same location and see whether the radiation affects them, or whether those that underwent radiation and those that did not germinated at the same rate.

Freezing Seeds

You can also try freezing seeds, to simulate a very cold spring in which the seeds are exposed to colder than usual temperatures. Place them into the freezer for several hours, remove them, and try to get them to germinate. Does it take longer than it did for the other seeds to germinate? Do some of them not germinate at all?

References

• "Selah Intermediate School"; Soil Temperature Vs. Seed Sprouting; Michael H.; 2000
• "Science Buddies"; Radiant Radish Seeds; Sara Agee; Jan 2006