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A-2-11
Question
Does microwaving lima beans change the rate of
germination?
Hypothesis
If lima beans are microwaved for increasing amounts
of time (0s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, or 25s), then the lima
bean germination rate will be lower, because the
radiation is damaging the seed and that prevents
germination.
Rationale
Farmers and gardeners care about how many seeds
germinate, so anything that impacts germination is
important to know about.
Abstract
Procedures:
Samples of 12 lima beans were microwaved for 0s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, or 25s
Results: lower germination rates were found in samples having more than 15
seconds of microwaving
Conclusions: microwaving has minimal effect if less than 10 seconds, but will
lower germination rate if microwaved for 15 or more seconds.
Materials
Paper plate
Water as needed
Material - Photos
Procedures
1. Gather all supplies
2. Mark 12 spots on paper plate where seeds will be placed
3. Place seeds on marked spots
4. Place plate, with seeds, in microwave and cook for sample time (0s, 5s, 10s,
15s, 20s, or 25s)
5. Prepare seed starter tray(s), with soil
6. Plant seeds in tray at 2 cm below surface
7. Repeat steps 2-6 with seeds microwaved for (0s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, or 25s)
8. Water seed tray measured
9. Monitor and maintain and seed tray per instructions
10.Count and record germination rate at 10 days after planting
Procedures - Photos
Data Chart
Table 1: Number of seeds that germinated out of sample (12)
Tray 1
Tray 2
Tray 3
00 seconds
11
7/11
11
05 seconds
9/11
10 seconds
10
15 seconds
20 seconds
25 seconds
Graph
Lima Bean Germination Rate After Being Microwaved
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
00 sec
05 sec
10 sec
Tray 1
15 sec
Tray 2
Tray 3
20 sec
25 sec
Data - Photos
Data Analysis
Table 2: Percent of seeds that germinated out of sample (12)
Tray 1
Tray 2
Tray 3
Tray 1
Tray 2
Tray 3
00 sec
11
7/11
11
91.7%
58.3%
91.7%
05 sec
9/11
81.8%
75.0%
66.7%
10 sec
10
66.7%
83.3%
75.0%
15 sec
50.0%
58.3%
58.3%
20 sec
58.3%
33.3%
25.0%
25 sec
16.7%
16.7%
8.3%
Conclusion
Over all, Microwaving seeds can, and can't help the
seeds germination rate. 5-10 sec is better than 0 sec,
but 15- makes it wrest.
References
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~
plantbio/osu_pcmb/pcmb_lab_resources/images/pcmb300
/angiosperm_reproduction/LimaBeans.jpg
http://www.factmonster.com/science/environment/plant
s.html
http://www.biosci.ohiostate.edu/~plantbio/osu_pcmb/pcmb_lab_resources/pcm
b300lamb_au2010/03-24_BeanDevelopment.html